Mechanisms of Chromosome Organization in Human Cells

Students: Elena Gruber, Anthony Hernandez

Faculty Mentor: Lisa Hua

Biology

College of Science, Technology, and Business

The spatial separation, or antipairing, of homologous chromosomes occurs in human endothelial cells during cell division. However, the mechanisms responsible for segregating haploid chromosome sets remain unknown. A recent study identified a region of low centromeric staining along the centrosome axis in human endothelial cells. We propose that this region may regulate the segregation of haploid sets during mitosis. Centromere Protein B (CENP-B) localizes to either side and at low levels along the centrosome axis during metaphase. Our hypothesis is that centromeric proteins like CENP-B are involved in regulating the separation of homologous chromosomes during mitosis. Preliminary data show the distribution of CENP-B in mitotic cells. Future work will involve RNA interference knockdown experiments to study candidate centromeric proteins. Understanding these mechanisms may offer insights into chromosomal abnormalities and the origins of human diseases.