Human beings begin to exist as the sperm and the egg unite to form a single cell and then divide numerous times and make up a whole human body. It is through cell division, or cytokinesis, where old and damaged tissues are replaced and wounds heal, among other functions, according to The Register.

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Cells are made up of a lot of things, of which, the DNA and the chromosome are the central parts. It is known that chromosomes are the ones that keep the DNA wrapped tightly around histones and they ensure that it is being copied accurately during division. As far as molecular biologists know, chromosomes do not have an active participation in the cell division process as they believe that chromosomes are just being pulled to opposite poles by microtubules in the cytoplasm of the cell, as per Science Recorder.

In the recent study, researchers found that chromosomes actually have a very active participation in the cytokinesis as they are the ones responsible for sending out signals that influence the microtubules as the process takes place, Times Gazette has learned.

Montreal University assistant professor and co-author of the study Gilles Hickson said that they have watched cells divide for over 100 years, however, they are still searching for more scientific data to understand the molecular mechanisms involved. This is very important because cell division has a central role in life as well as numerous types of diseases. 

This process was observed in cells of fruit flies where an enzyme that outline the cells, phosphatase Sds22-PP1, was sent out by the chromosomes. The enzyme softens the cell membrane enough that it can stretch and divide during cytokinesis. 

Since early 2010, it has been hypothesized that cytokinesis is the principal process that affects carcinogenesis.

As a breakthrough in the medical field, most especially in the field of biology, Hickson said that his team will continue to expand their research on essential and fundamental signals and processes occurring during cell division to have a better understanding on how they can be manipulated or fixed when they begin to behave badly.  

Tags cell division, Cancer, Cytokinesis, Carcinogenesis