Neocentromeres Form Efficiently at Multiple Possible Loci in Candida albicans
2009

Neocentromeres in Candida albicans

publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Ketel Carrie, Wang Helen S. W., McClellan Mark, Bouchonville Kelly, Selmecki Anna, Lahav Tamar, Gerami-Nejad Maryam, Berman Judith

Primary Institution: University of Minnesota

Hypothesis

Can neocentromeres form efficiently at multiple loci in Candida albicans?

Conclusion

Neocentromeres can form efficiently at several possible loci in Candida albicans, allowing for stable chromosome segregation even in the absence of traditional centromere DNA.

Supporting Evidence

  • Neocentromeres can form at ectopic loci in Candida albicans.
  • Functional neocentromeres were shown to assemble efficiently in the absence of traditional centromere DNA.
  • The study identified two classes of neocentromeres based on their proximity to the original centromere.

Takeaway

This study shows that when a part of a chromosome is missing, the yeast Candida albicans can create a new centromere in different places on the chromosome, helping it stay healthy and grow.

Methodology

The study involved replacing the centromere DNA in Candida albicans with a selectable marker and analyzing the resulting transformants for neocentromere formation and stability.

Limitations

The study primarily focuses on a single species and may not generalize to other organisms.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pgen.1000400

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