Centromere
the region of the chromosome that holds the two sister chromatids together during mitosis
Centromere is a region on a chromosome that plays a critical role in the segregation of chromosomes during cell division. The centromere is responsible for binding the spindle fibers during cell division, which in turn pulls the chromosomes apart into the two daughter cells. The position of the centromere on the chromosome varies depending on the species and can be located in the center, near one end, or even off-center.
The centromere is composed of specialized DNA sequences known as repetitive DNA elements that are associated with specific proteins, called centromere-associated proteins. These proteins play a key role in the centromere function by promoting the attachment of spindle fibers to the chromosome during cell division, and by ensuring that the chromosomes are equally distributed to the daughter cells.
In humans, abnormalities in centromere function are associated with various genetic disorders, including chromosomal instability syndromes, such as Down syndrome. Defects in the centromere can lead to errors in chromosome segregation during cell division, which can result in the formation of abnormal cells that may contribute to the development of cancer. Therefore, understanding the structure and function of the centromere is critical to advancing our knowledge of basic cell biology and disease mechanisms.
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