centromere
/ˈsɛntrə(ʊ)mɪə
/noun Biology
The region of a chromosome to which the microtubules of the spindle attach, via the kinetochore, during cell division.In fact, we did not find any informative marker in the three chromosomal divisions around the centromere of this chromosome....
- The presence of a kinetochore spot indicates the centromere region of each chromosome.
- We conclude that chromosomes with damaged centromeres fail to correctly attach to the spindle, thus producing MN and monosomy.
Derivatives
centromeric
- Strains were transformed with a control centromeric plasmid or a centromeric plasmid carrying the wild-type GUK1 gene.
- In Drosophila, relocation of a euchromatic gene near centromeric or telomeric heterochromatin often leads to its mosaic silencing.
- In addition, binding of the yeast CBF3 kinetochore complex to centromeric DNA was severely compromised in this mutant.
Origin
Early 20th century (originally denoting a region within the oocyst of a malaria parasite): from Latin centrum (see centre) + Greek meros 'part'. The current sense dates from the 1930s.