The possibility of latent centromeres and a proposed nomenclature system for total chromosome and whole arm translocations

Abstract

Translocations involving entire chromosomes or whole chromosome arms may not necessarily require deletion of a centromere. Conceivably, in the process of centromeric or telomeric fusion or of fusion of a centromere with a telomere, centromeric inactivation may occur, thus preserving both centromeres—one functional, the other latent—in the resultant translocation chromosome. If such latent centromeres exist and, in addition, are capable of being reactivated, it would explain how additional functional centromeres are acquired in the reverse process of chromosomal fission or fragmentation. A system of nomenclature is proposed for identifying the origin and nature of these chromosomal rearrangements.