Abstract
Fine structure studies of Oncopeltus fasciatus, an hemipteran with diffuse kinetochores, shows the presence of a kinetochore plate extending for up to 75% of the length of the chromosomes during mitosis. During meiosis, microtubules entered all along the body of the chromosomes and the kinetochore plate was completely missing. It is suggested that in organisms with holocentric chromosomes the formation of the meiotic kinetochore apparatus may have to be suppressed to allow terminalization of chiasmata.
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Supported by N.I.H. Grant No. GM-15886.
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Comings, D.E., Okada, T.A. Holocentric chromosomes in Oncopeltus: kinetochore plates are present in mitosis but absent in meiosis. Chromosoma 37, 177–192 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00284937
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00284937