Centromere - Structure and Evolution (Hardcover, 2009 ed.)

The centromere is a chromosomal region that enables the accurate segregation of chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis. It holds sister chromatids together, and through its centromere DNA-protein complex known as the kinetochore binds spindle microtubules to bring about accurate chromosome movements. Despite this conserved function, centromeres exhibit dramatic difference in structure, size, and complexity. Extensive studies on centromeric DNA revealed its rapid evolution resulting often in significant difference even among closely related species. Such a plasticity of centromeric DNA could be explained by epigenetic c- trol of centromere function, which does not depend absolutely on primary DNA sequence. According to epigenetic centromere concept, which is thoroughly d- cussed by Tanya Panchenko and Ben Black in Chap. 1 of this book, centromere activation or inactivation might be caused by modifications of chromatin. Such acquired chromatin epigenetic modifications are then inherited from one cell di- sion to the next. Concerning centromere-specific chromatin modification, it is now evident that all centromeres contain a centromere specific histone H3 variant, CenH3, which replaces histone H3 in centromeric nucleosomes and provides a structural basis that epigenetically defines centromere and differentiates it from the surrounding chromatin. Recent insights into the CenH3 presented in this chapter add important mechanistic understanding of how centromere identity is initially established and subsequently maintained in every cell cycle.

General

Imprint:	Springer-Verlag
Country of origin:	Germany
Series:	Progress in Molecular and Subcellular Biology, 48
Release date:	May 2009
First published:	2009
Editors:	Durdica Ugarkovic
Dimensions:	235 x 155 x 18mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	184
Edition:	2009 ed.
ISBN-13:	978-3-642-00181-9
Categories:	Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Biochemistry > General Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Cellular biology > General Promotions
LSN:	3-642-00181-5
Barcode:	9783642001819

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!