Mechanisms of Chromosome Organization in Human Cells

Students: Omar Akhtar, 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 undergoing cellular division. However, the mechanisms responsible for the segregation of haploid chromosome sets are still unknown. A recent study has shown that there is a region of low centromeric staining along the centrosome axis in human endothelial cells. We propose that this region of low centromeric component staining may regulate the segregation of haploid sets of homologous chromosomes during cell division. Centromere Protein B (CENP-B) localizes to either side and at low levels along the centrosome axis in human endothelial cells at metaphase. Our hypothesis is that centromeric proteins, like CENP-B, are involved in the regulatory mechanisms that separate haploid sets of homologous chromosomes during mitosis. Our preliminary studies show CENP-B distribution in human mitotic cells. Future studies, following identification of candidate centromeric proteins, will allow us to perform functional studies with RNA interference knockdown experiments. Elucidating the mechanisms of chromosome organization may provide avenues toward addressing chromosomal abnormalities and the etiology of human disease.