Japanese researchers reveal chromosome anchors form hollow shells before cell division
Researchers from the University of Osaka and collaborators published a study in Science Advances revealing that chromosome anchors form hollow spheres inside cells.
New imaging shows spherical structure
Scientists discovered that the constitutive centromere-associated network assembles into a shell-like shape within the nucleus. This structure sits at the centromere, which acts as the pinched waist of each chromosome. The finding clarifies how dozens of individual units combine to build a working kinetochore.
Kinetochores link chromosomes to ropes
The resulting kinetochore functions like a tow hitch that connects chromosomes to cellular ropes. These ropes pull chromosomes apart during the process of cell division. A single mistake in this splitting process can be disastrous for the daughter cells.
Previous studies lacked full view
Earlier research provided fine detail on a single CCAN unit but could not show the whole building. The new study solves the mystery of how multiple units arrange themselves together inside living cells.
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