Single-Cell Dynamic Analysis of Mitosis in Haploid Embryonic Stem Cells Shows the Prolonged Metaphase and Its Association with Self-diploidization

The recent establishment of mammalian haploid embryonic stem cells (ESCs) provides new possibilities for genetic screening and for understanding genome evolution and function. However, the dynamics of mitosis in haploid ESCs is still unclear. Here, we report that the duration of mitosis in haploid ESCs, especially the metaphase, is significantly longer than that in diploid ESCs. Delaying mitosis by chemicals increased self-diploidization of haploid ESCs, while shortening mitosis stabilized haploid ESCs. Taken together, our study suggests that the delayed mitosis of haploid ESCs is associated with self-diploidization. •Mitosis is prolonged in haploid ESCs, especially in metaphase•Self-diploidization might be associated with the prolonged mitosis of haploid ESCs In this article, Pei and colleagues found that mitosis is significantly longer in haploid ESCs compared with that of diploid ESCs, especially in metaphase. The longer mitosis of haploid ESCs is also associated with self-diploidization.