Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2023
Abstract
Centromeres play a crucial role in DNA segregation by mediating the cohesion and separation of sister chromatids during cell division. Centromere dysfunction, breakage or compromised centromeric integrity can generate aneuploidies and chromosomal instability, which are cellular features associated with cancer initiation and progression. Maintaining centromere integrity is thus essential for genome stability. However, the centromere itself is prone to DNA breaks, likely due to its intrinsically fragile nature. Centromeres are complex genomic loci that are composed of highly repetitive DNA sequences and secondary structures and require the recruitment and homeostasis of a centromere-associated protein network. The molecular mechanisms engaged to preserve centromere inherent structure and respond to centromeric damage are not fully understood and remain a subject of ongoing research. In this article, we provide a review of the currently known factors that contribute to centromeric dysfunction and the molecular mechanisms that mitigate the impact of centromere damage on genome stability. Finally, we discuss the potential therapeutic strategies that could arise from a deeper understanding of the mechanisms preserving centromere integrity.
Recommended Citation
Nassar, Rim; Thompson, Lily; and Fouquerel, Elise, "Molecular Mechanisms Protecting Centromeres From Self-Sabotage and Implications for Cancer Therapy" (2023). Student Papers, Posters & Projects. Paper 105.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/student_papers/105
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Language
English
Comments
This article is the author's final published version in NAR Cancer, Volume 5, Issue 2, June 2023, Article number zcad019.
The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1093/narcan/zcad019.
Copyright © The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of NAR Cancer.
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