Neocentromeres in Candida albicans
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)
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