Anxiety Linked to Shortened Telomeres And Cell Division: Puzzling Findings Relating to

Centromere Structure Reconciled

Alejandra Henao Buitrago Medical student

FOLDING

FOLDING

INTRODUCTION

Understanding centromeres is

critical because of the role they play in

maintaining genomic integrity.

Telomeres are considered markers

of biological or cellular aging.

Cell Division: Puzzling Findings Relating To Centromere Structure Reconciled

Science Daily (July 19, 2012)

Cell Division: Puzzling Findings Relating To Centromere Structure

Reconciled

A nucleosome, a short coil of DNA twisted around a core of proteins forms at each centromere. Within the core is a protein, called Cse4 in yeast. But the overall architecture of that nucleosome was unknown. has used live cell imaging to reveal constituents of the centromeric protein core.

Cell Division: Puzzling Findings Relating To Centromere Structure Reconciled

•Two methods were combined to probe yeast cells engineered to express Cse4 hooked to a green fluorescent protein (GFP) tag.

•The approach allowed them to track and then count in a living cell the number of Cse4 molecules in a centromeric nucleosome.

•Yeast cells have 16 chromosomes, each with one centromere. If each centromere contained just one copy of Cse4, then the dot glowing in each cell should be 16 times brighter than a single GFP molecule.

Cell Division: Puzzling Findings Relating To Centromere Structure Reconciled

Was found that two evidence molecules of Cse4 were interacting at the centromere in anaphase, but these interactions were not present during the rest of the cell cycle.

Is concluded that the timing of structural changes differs in yeast and human cells, But that human and yeast centromeres undergo similar dynamic changes with the cell cycle.

Comment

know the functioning of the centromere is important for understanding the segregation of chromosomes and of the consequences of errors in cell division.

Anxiety Linked to Shortened Telomeres, Accelerated Aging

ScienceDaily (July 11, 2012)

Anxiety Linked to Shortened Telomeres, Accelerated Aging

Anxiety Linked to Shortened Telomeres, Accelerated Aging

A new study shows that a phobic anxiety was associated with shorter telomeres in middle aged and older

women.

Anxiety Linked to Shortened Telomeres, Accelerated Aging

Shortened telomeres have been linked to increased risk of cancers, heart disease, dementia and mortality.

This study is notable for showing a connection between a common form of psychological stress, phobic anxiety, and a plausible mechanism for premature aging.

Comment

See the relationship between a

psychological stress with

premature aging, is important to give

appropriate diagnostic, provide timely treatment

using the molecular analysis.

MEDICAL UTILITY

MEDICAL UTILITY

Most cells in the adult exhibit only limited telomerase activity, meaning that as cells divide and replicate their DNA, the chromosomes’ telomeres become shorter. This limits the number of times a cell can divide and contributes to aging.

MEDICAL UTILITY

Longer telomeres are hypothesized to correlate with improved longevity and reduced disease burden.

MEDICAL UTILITY

The study of centromere helps detect genetic diseases when there are errors in cell division

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

MARTINEZ S, Lina María, Biología molecular, 7 ed. Medellín: UPB. Fac de Medicina , 2012. 69-70 p.

 WATSON, James, Biología molecular del Gen, 5 ed. Buenos Aires, Madrid, ed panamericana, 2006. 151-153 p.