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A phase transition for chromosome transmission when cells divide

An analysis of chromosomes during mitotic cell division reveals that DNA and associated histone proteins condense through a process called phase transition, which helps them to resist the pushing forces involved in mitosis.
  1. Kazuhiro Maeshima

    1. Kazuhiro Maeshima is in the Genome Dynamics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan, and in the Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI, Shizuoka.

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The faithful transmission of matching copies of DNA from a dividing mother cell to its two daughters requires the DNA to be tightly compacted. This process is fundamental to the mitotic cell divisions needed for an organism’s development and maintenance, but the underlying physical principles of chromosome compaction remain unclear. Writing in Nature, Schneider et al.1 provide evidence that a key aspect of accurate chromosome transmission is condensation into a more solid-like state through a process called phase transition.

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Nature 609, 35-36 (2022)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-022-01925-3

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Competing Interests

The author declares no competing interests.

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