This study shows that DNA replication timing can serve as the
basis for the inheritance of functional centromeres at specific
chromosomal sites, representing a novel mechanism of epigenetic
inheritance.
By comparing the repertoires of chemosensory Ionotropic
Receptors among both closely- and distantly-related species, the
authors observe dynamic patterns of expansion and divergence of
these receptor families in organisms occupying very different
ecological niches.
The authors find that transcripts regulated by Wor1 have many
unusual properties, several of which are also observed for
transcripts regulated during the development of mammalian
embryonic stem cells, suggesting that they may be general
hallmarks of cell differentiation.