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Karyorrhexis

Destructive fragmentation of the nucleus of a dying cell

Karyorrhexis (from Greek κάρυον karyon 'kernel, seed, nucleus' and ῥῆξις rhexis 'bursting') is the destructive fragmentation of the nucleus of a dying cell^[1] whereby its chromatin is distributed irregularly throughout the cytoplasm.^[2] It is usually preceded by pyknosis and can occur as a result of either programmed cell death (apoptosis), cellular senescence, or necrosis.

Inapoptosis, the cleavage of DNA is done by Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ -dependent endonucleases.

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  Morphological characteristics of pyknosis and other forms of nuclear destruction.
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  Microscopy of an apoptotic neutrophil with nuclear fragmentation (H&E stain)

See also[edit]

• Karyolysis

References[edit]

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