Chromosome segregation dynamics during Meiosis I, Meiosis II, and Mitosis cell divisions in Acheta domesticus (House crickets)

Abstract

Chromosomes exhibit diverse types of organization and movement during the cell division process. Meiosis is essential for sexual reproduction, producing haploid cells from diploid precursors. In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes pair up, and separate in anaphase I, with two chromatids moving toward each pole. In meiosis II, the sister chromatids move to opposite poles during anaphase II and produce haploid cells. In contrast, in mitosis, the chromosomes are copied and distributed to produce genetically identical diploid somatic cells. Understanding the behavior of chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis is significant for accurate chromosome segregation to prevent birth defects and diseases like cancer. Currently, there is a notable gap in the literature—the absence of comparative assessments of chromosome dynamics across mitosis, meiosis I, and meiosis II within a single species. In this project, we used live-cell imaging of house cricket (Acheta domesticus) spermatocytes to characterize chromosome movement in mitosis, meiosis I, and meiosis II, providing insights into their unique dynamics. Through this analysis, we have determined how chromosome position changes from metaphase to anaphase in all three division types. We have also determined that chromosomes move to the spindle poles at the same rates in anaphase I and anaphase II but move at double the meiotic rate of movement in mitotic anaphase