According to a recently published study, chromosomes, the primary human cells which carry genetic information in the shape of genes, have an active role to play in the complex process of cell division in animals. Cell division in wildlife occurs exactly when a single cell splits into new daughter cells.
Chromosomes are defined by a very particular behavior, as they release signals to influence the cell cortex that reacts by further influencing action which involves microscopic structures. Actual cell division consists of pulling chromosomes to opposite sides of a single cell, sending signals to the cell cortex, the very place where division should go through with its final stage.
Cell division is absolutely essential and fundamental to all life forms. Our human structure develops from a single cell which divides billions of times to generate the entire variety of tissue found in human body structures.
The complete range of molecular mechanisms involved is not yet completely understood and up until recently there was unknown how chromosomes could play an active part in cell division.
Co-author of the study, Gilles Hickson, declared that together with his team they have been observing cell division for over 100 years and are still searching for strong scientific data to completely encompass the process and the meaning of all molecular mechanisms. This piece of research is highly essential for the future of medicine, as it plays a main role in life in general and it is fundamental for discovering the root trigger for many types of diseases.
The entire chromosomal process was observed in cells of fruit flies where phosphatase Sds22-PP1, an enzyme which is known to outline the cells, was sent out by the chromosomes. The enzyme acts by softening the cell membrane to the extent that it can ultimately stretch and divide during cell division.
“Such evolutionary conservation from flies to humans is expected for processes as fundamental as cell division. This is what makes fruit flies such a powerful system for helping us to understand human biology,” Dr Hickson declared.
The team of researchers will continue to extract insightful information from further studies, in an attempt to expand their knowledge database with analysis on essential and fundamental signals and processes which occur during cell division. This titanic fragment of work allows for a better understanding on how fundamental signals and processes can be manipulated or reversed when they start to behave badly.
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