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Review
. 2001 Aug 10;293(5532):1098-102.
doi: 10.1126/science.1062939.

The centromere paradox: stable inheritance with rapidly evolving DNA

S Henikoff  1 , K Ahmad, H S Malik
Affiliations
Review

The centromere paradox: stable inheritance with rapidly evolving DNA

S Henikoff et al. Science. .

Abstract

Every eukaryotic chromosome has a centromere, the locus responsible for poleward movement at mitosis and meiosis. Although conventional loci are specified by their DNA sequences, current evidence favors a chromatin-based inheritance mechanism for centromeres. The chromosome segregation machinery is highly conserved across all eukaryotes, but the DNA and protein components specific to centromeric chromatin are evolving rapidly. Incompatibilities between rapidly evolving centromeric components may be responsible for both the organization of centromeric regions and the reproductive isolation of emerging species.

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Comment in

  • Speciation and centromere evolution.
    Borodin PM. Borodin PM. Science. 2001 Dec 21;294(5551):2478-80. doi: 10.1126/science.294.5551.2478. Science. 2001. PMID: 11770517 No abstract available.

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