pericentrales

Pericentrales is a term used in biology to refer to structures or regions associated with centromeres or centrioles, depending on context. In chromosomal biology, it denotes pericentromeric regions—the portions of a chromosome immediately adjacent to the centromere. These regions often harbor repetitive DNA and heterochromatin, and they carry epigenetic marks such as H3K9me3 and binding of HP1 proteins. Pericentromeric chromatin contributes to centromere function, regulates replication timing, and influences sister chromatid cohesion and segregation. Disruption of pericentromeric regions can lead to genomic instability and aberrant recombination.

In cellular and centrosomal biology, the term is closely related to the pericentriolar material (PCM), the protein-rich matrix that surrounds the centrioles within the centrosome. PCM serves as the main site of microtubule nucleation and organization during interphase and mitosis. It contains gamma-tubulin ring complexes and a network of scaffold proteins such as pericentrin and CDK5RAP2 that recruit tubulin nucleation sites and anchor microtubules. The PCM expands during centrosome maturation in mitosis and is regulated by kinases such as PLK1 and CDK1, ensuring proper spindle assembly and chromosome segregation.

Clinical and research relevance: defects in pericentromeric regions are linked to chromosomal rearrangements and disorders; PCM defects are associated with microcephaly, cancer, and ciliopathies. The term "pericentrales" therefore reflects contexts in chromosome biology and centrosome biology, with careful interpretation needed based on the source.