Tools used to assay genomic instability in cancers and cancer meiomitosis |
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Authors: | Jennifer Gantchev,Brandon Ramchatesingh,Melissa Berman-Rosa,Daniel Sikorski,Keerthenan Raveendra,Laetitia Amar,Hong Hao Xu,Amelia Martí nez Villarreal,Daniel Josue Guerra Ordaz,Ivan V. Litvinov |
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Affiliation: | 1.Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1 Canada ;2.Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC Canada ;3.Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC Canada ;4.Faculty of Science, McGill University, Montreal, QC Canada ;5.Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC Canada |
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Abstract: | Genomic instability is a defining characteristic of cancer and the analysis of DNA damage at the chromosome level is a crucial part of the study of carcinogenesis and genotoxicity. Chromosomal instability (CIN), the most common level of genomic instability in cancers, is defined as the rate of loss or gain of chromosomes through successive divisions. As such, DNA in cancer cells is highly unstable. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. There is a debate as to whether instability succeeds transformation, or if it is a by-product of cancer, and therefore, studying potential molecular and cellular contributors of genomic instability is of high importance. Recent work has suggested an important role for ectopic expression of meiosis genes in driving genomic instability via a process called meiomitosis. Improving understanding of these mechanisms can contribute to the development of targeted therapies that exploit DNA damage and repair mechanisms. Here, we discuss a workflow of novel and established techniques used to assess chromosomal instability as well as the nature of genomic instability such as double strand breaks, micronuclei, and chromatin bridges. For each technique, we discuss their advantages and limitations in a lab setting. Lastly, we provide detailed protocols for the discussed techniques.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12079-021-00661-z. |
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Keywords: | Genomic instability Chromosomal instability DNA damage H2B-GFP Cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay Single-cell sequencing Meiomitosis |
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