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Localization of DNA sequences required for human centromere function through an analysis of rearranged Y chromosomes

Nature Genetics volume 5, pages 368–375 (1993)Cite this article

Abstract

We have localized the DNA sequences required for mitotic centromere function on the human Y chromosome. Analysis of 33 rearranged Y chromosomes allowed the centromere to be placed in interval 8 of a 24–interval deletion map. Although this interval is polymorphic in size, it can be as small as ∼500kb. It contains alphoid satellite DNA and ∼300kb of adjacent Yp sequences. Chromosomes with rearrangements in this region were analysed in detail. Two translocation chromosomes and one monocentric isochromosome had breakpoints within the alphoid array. Of 12 suppressed Y centromeres on translocation chromosomes and dicentric isochromosomes that were also analysed two showed deletions one of which only removed alphoid DNA. These results indicate that alphoid DNA is a functional part of the Y chromosome centromere.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Rebecca J. Oakey

    Present address: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 10104, USA

  2. Richard B. Fisher

    Present address: Human Molecular Genetics Group, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK

  3. Mark A. Jobling

    Present address: Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CRC Chromosome Molecular Biology Group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK

    Chris Tyler-Smith, Rebecca J. Oakey, Zoia Larin & Richard B. Fisher

  2. Cytogenetics Laboratory, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7LJ, UK

    Mark Crocker

  3. Human Molecular Genetics Group, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK

    Nabeel A. Affara & Malcolm A. Ferguson-Smith

  4. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA

    Maximilian Muenke

  5. Biologia Generale e Genetica Medica, Università di Pavia, C. P. 217, I-27100, Pavia, Italy

    Orsetta Zuffardi

  6. Genetics Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK

    Mark A. Jobling

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Tyler-Smith, C., Oakey, R., Larin, Z. et al. Localization of DNA sequences required for human centromere function through an analysis of rearranged Y chromosomes. Nat Genet 5, 368–375 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng1293-368

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