Vertebrate centromeres in mitosis are functionally bipartite structures stabilized by cohesin

Centromeres are scaffolds for the assembly of kinetochores that ensure chromosome segregation during cell division. How vertebrate centromeres obtain a three-dimensional structure to accomplish their primary function is unclear. Using super-resolution imaging, capture-C, and polymer modeling, we show that vertebrate centromeres are partitioned by condensins into two subdomains during mitosis. The bipartite structure is found in human, mouse, and chicken cells and is therefore a fundamental feature of vertebrate centromeres. Super-resolution imaging and electron tomography reveal that bipartite centromeres assemble bipartite kinetochores, with each subdomain binding a distinct microtubule bundle. Cohesin links the centromere subdomains, limiting their separation in response to spindle forces and avoiding merotelic kinetochore-spindle attachments. Lagging chromosomes during cancer cell divisions frequently have merotelic attachments in which the centromere subdomains are separated and bioriented. Our work reveals a fundamental aspect of vertebrate centromere biology with implications for understanding the mechanisms that guarantee faithful chromosome segregation

Unveiling black pepper diversity: A morphological characterization of genotypes in Sylhet, Bangladesh: Black pepper diversity in Sylhet, Bangladesh

Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is a valuable spice and despite having suitable climatic conditions, Bangladesh relies on imports to meet the demand. There is some homestead production of black pepper, but information available on the genotypes grown in Bangladesh is scanty. Here, we characterized black pepper genotypes in the Sylhet region for potential domestic production. Healthy, disease-free cuttings of eleven genotypes (G-1 to G-11) were collected and grown in a nursery condition for characterization. Diverse traits were observed for lamina shape (ovate, ovate-lanceolate, ovate-elliptic, and cordate), leaf tip (acute, accuminate, and caudate), leaf base (cordate and rounded), shoot tip color (green, light green, yellowish-green, purple, and dark purple), and leaf margin (wavy and even). Quantitative parameters revealed substantial variation in leaf length (6.8 to 11.24 cm), leaf width (3.66 to 6.24 cm), leaf area (26.8 to 66.6 cm2), petiole length (2.3 to 5.0 cm), internode length (1.93 to 6.2 cm), and leaf dry matter content (19.6 to 30.4%). Notably, G-8 exhibited superior values for leaf dimensions, area, petiole and internode lengths, along with relatively higher leaf dry matter content (23.9%). This study provides a baseline for selecting and breeding high-yielding black pepper varieties in Bangladesh, potentially boosting domestic production

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Not AvailableA massive bovine, Bos frontalis, also known as Mithun or Gayal, found at higher altitude is very promising meat and milk animal. For candidate gene and marker discovery, RNA-seq data was generated from longissimus dorsi muscle tissues with Illumina-HiSeq. Such markers can be used in future for genetic gain of traits like feed conversion efficiency (FCE) and average daily gain (ADG). Analysis revealed 297differentially expressed genes (DEGs) having 173 up and 124 down-regulated unigenes. Extensive conservation was found in genic region while comparing with Bos taurus. Analysis revealed 57 pathways having 112 enzymes, 72 transcriptional factors and cofactors, 212 miRNAs regulating 71 DEGs, 25,855 SSRs, mithun-specific 104,822 variants and 7288 indels, gene regulatory network (GRN) having 24 hub-genes and transcriptional factors regulating cell proliferation, immune tolerance and myogenesis. This is first report of muscle transcriptome depicting candidate genes with GRN controlling FCE and ADG. Reported putative molecular markers, candidate genes and hub proteins can be valuable genomic resources for association studies in genetic improvement programme.Not Availabl