Novel lipochitin oligosaccharide structures produced by Rhizobium etli KIM5s

Microbial Biotechnolog

Genetic analysis of a pH-regulated operon from Rhizobium tropici CIAT899 involved in acid tolerance and nodulation competitiveness

Microbial Biotechnolog

Auxin distribution in Lotus japonicus during root nodule development

Microbial Biotechnolog

Centromere-localized breaks indicate the generation of DNA damage by the mitotic spindle

Most carcinomas present some form of chromosome instability in combination with spindle defects. Numerical instability is likely caused by spindle aberrations, but the origin of breaks and translocations remains elusive. To determine whether one mechanism can bring about both types of instability, we studied the relationship between DNA damage and spindle defects. Although lacking apparent repair defects, primary Dido mutant cells formed micronuclei containing damaged DNA. The presence of centromeres showed that micronuclei were caused by spindle defects, and cell cycle markers showed that DNA damage was generated during mitosis. Although the micronuclei themselves persisted, the DNA damage within was repaired during S and G2 phases. DNA breaks in Dido mutant cells regularly colocalized with centromeres, which were occasionally distorted. Comparable defects were found in APC mutant cell lines, an independent system for spindle defects. On the basis of these results, we propose a model for break formation in which spindle defects lead to centromere shearing