Publications

@article{Mendonca2025-la,

title = {The mitotic chromosome periphery modulates chromosome mechanics},

author = {Tania Mendonca and Roman Urban and Kellie Lucken and George Coney and Neil M Kad and Manlio Tassieri and Amanda J Wright and Daniel G Booth},

doi = {10.1038/s41467-025-61755-5},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-07-01},

urldate = {2025-07-01},

journal = {Nat. Commun.},

volume = {16},

number = {1},

pages = {6399},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},

abstract = {In dividing cells, chromosomes are coated in a sheath of 

 proteins and RNA called the mitotic chromosome periphery. This 

 sheath is thought to confer biophysical properties to 

 chromosomes, critical for successful cell division. However, the 

 details of chromosome mechanics, and specifically, if and how 

 the chromosome periphery contributes to them, remain poorly 

 understood. In this study, we present a comprehensive 

 characterisation of single-chromosome mechanics using optical 

 tweezers and an improved broadband microrheology analysis. We 

 extend this analysis to direct measurements of the chromosome 

 periphery by manipulating levels of Ki-67, its chief organiser, 

 and apply a rheological model to isolate its contribution to 

 chromosome mechanics. We report that the chromosome periphery 

 governs dynamic self-reorganisation of chromosomes and acts as a 

 structural constraint, providing force-damping properties. This 

 work provides significant insight into chromosome mechanics and 

 will inform our understanding of the mitotic chromosome 

 periphery\'s role in cell division.},

keywords = {chromosome mechanics, microrheology, optical trapping, Optical tweezers},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}