Maps of chromosomal regions crucial for cell division reveal high diversity

Nature2026年8月5日正文已收录本站
  • RESEARCH BRIEFINGS

Centromeres are regions of chromosomes that are required for cell division. Complete sequence characterization of centromeres from a diverse group of 65 individuals reveals dynamic and rapid patterns of mutational change, providing information about centromere evolution and function.

This is a summary of: Gao, S. et al. A global view of human centromere variation and evolution. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10841-9 (2026).

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-02327-5

‘Expert opinion’ and the figure are published under a CC BY 4.0 licence.

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  • Read the paper: A global view of human centromere variation and evolution

  • How can fast-evolving DNA retain a fundamental function in cell division?

  • Chromosome components central to cell division evolve rapidly

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