{
  "id": 18584419,
  "title": "Evolutionary dynamics of the pan-centromere architecture in oaks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/evolutionary-dynamics-of-the-pan-centromere-architecture-in-oaks",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-06T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.11.05.764454v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Centromeres are essential for accurate chromosome separation and genome stability, but their DNA exhibits rapid evolution, creating a persistent centromere paradox. In this study, researchers examined the genomic and epigenomic architecture of 1,300 potential centromeres from 111 high-quality Quercus (oak) genomes. They discovered that lineage-specific expansion of QuCEN146 satellite DNA drives centromere turnover in oaks by pushing ancestral LTR-rich sequences to the surrounding areas. Genetic drift then aids the fixation of these satellite-rich centromeres.\n\nIn Q. serrata, population-scale studies show significant variation in satellite-rich centromeres, resulting from array expansion and contraction, strand-orientation shifts, and interspecific introgression. In contrast, Q. variabilis possesses LTR-rich centromeres with minimal polymorphism and high collinearity across populations. This stability is maintained through suppressed local recombination, linked selection, and limited LTR dynamics.\n\nMoreover, the study uncovers chromosome-independent evolutionary patterns for both satellite-rich and LTR-rich centromeres. Overall, these findings reveal how various evolutionary processes contribute to centromere turnover and create distinct centromeric sequence landscapes in forest trees.",
  "summary": "Centromeres ensure faithful chromosome segregation and genome stability, yet their DNA evolves rapidly, presenting a long-standing centromere paradox. Here we characterise the genomic and epigenomic architecture of >1,300 candidate centromeres from 111 high-quality Quercus (oak) genomes. We show that lineage-specific expansion of QuCEN146 satellite drives centromere turnover in oaks by displacing…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}