Abstract
The chromosome has long been viewed as a structure that ensures faithful segregation of the genetic materials to daughter cells. However, it is now apparent that the chromosome plays a central role in defining the genetic network through the genome context. One often-confused phenomenon bridging studies of interphase chromatin and mitotic chromosomes is chromosome pulverization, which has been inappropriately linked to premature chromosome condensation (PCC) and more recently confused with chromosome fragmentation (C-Frag), a major form of mitotic cell death. Recently there has been increased interest in genome alteration-mediated somatic cell evolution and its clinical implications, although a number of publications have continued to confuse these terminologies/concepts.
To alleviate confusion in this field we review both C-Frag and PCC. Discussion of C-Frag includes its morphological and mechanistic characterization, its relationship to genomic instability, and its utility. Discussion of PCC pertains to its mechanisms, definition, historical perspectives, and its application in basic research and clinical settings. C-Frag and PCC are then directly compared and contrasted to fully differentiate these two phenomena. Chromosome pulverization, chromosome shattering, and mitotic catastrophe are compared in relationship to both C-Frag and PCC. To avoid future confusion we suggest avoidance of the ambiguous term chromosome pulverization in favor of the more specific term C-Frag or PCC. Finally, future implications and perspectives of both C-Frag and PCC are discussed.
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Stevens, J.B., Heng, H.H.Q. (2013). Differentiating Chromosome Fragmentation and Premature Chromosome Condensation. In: Yurov, Y., Vorsanova, S., Iourov, I. (eds) Human Interphase Chromosomes. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6558-4_5
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