Chromoanagenesis in Plants for Crop Improvement and Evolution

Role of chromosomal structural rearrangements in creation of variability has been discussed widely over the years. During the past decade, advances in plant genome sequencing and bioinformatics tools led to the detection of more complex types of chromosome rearrangements that arise due to a single catastrophic event. Chromoanagenesis is the term used to describe these catastrophic events and it was initially found in cancer cells, and subsequently observed in a variety of other systems, including plants. Chromoanagenesis is induced by different interconnected mechanisms like micronucleation, breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) cycles, and closed chain translocation. In this review we discuss the genesis, types, features, mechanisms and role of chromoanagenesis in plants for crop improvement and evolution.