Trisomy 12 is the most common whole-chromosome abnormality in human pluripotent stem cells. Conventionally, this acquired aneuploidy is ascribed to a rare single-cell event followed by selective growth advantage. Instead, we show that trisomy 12 emerges simultaneously in a very high percentage of cells in critical transition passages. Mis-segregation and incorporation of chromosome 12 into micronuclei occur through bridging of the short p arms of chromosome 12. Subsequently, single, unreplicated chromosome 12 chromatids are observed in mitotic cells. Erosion of the subtelomeric regions of the 12p arms is found during the passages when chromosome 12 bridges become frequent and trisomy 12 increases. Trisomy 12 cells persist due to a slight growth advantage. Among the shortest telomeres in humans are those on the 12p arms, making them particularly vulnerable to damage and bridging during mitosis. These findings reveal a novel mechanism of whole-chromosome instability in human stem cells, with broad implications for understanding the genesis of aneuploidy across diverse biological systems.
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