Study Focuses on Chromosome Movement

U.S. scientists have found which molecular events in a dividing cell cause duplicate chromosomes to separate and move into newly formed daughter cells.

Researchers at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., used yeast to gain insights into how a dividing human cell ensures an identical set of chromosomes is passed to each new daughter cell. Errors in that process are prevalent in cancer, miscarriages and diseases such as Down syndrome.

The researchers also determined the order in which certain critical events occur in setting up and maintaining the heterochromatin — densely condensed chromosomal material believed to be genetically inactive.

The scientists said their findings are important because they provide insight into how each daughter cell receives the normal number of chromosomes. It also offers important clues to understanding the genetic cause of certain catastrophic diseases.

A report on the work appeared in the May 25 issue of the journal Molecular Cell.