Centric-fusion translocation is a type of chromosomal rearrangement, also known as Robertsonian translocation. It involves the fusion of the entire long arm of one acrocentric chromosome with the long arm of another. Typically, the short arms of the chromosomes involved in the translocation are lost. In acrocentric chromosomes, the centromere is located near, but not at, the end of the chromosome. In humans, chromosomes 13-15, 21, and 22 are classified as acrocentric. Centric-fusion translocations occur relatively frequently. When balanced, they replace two acrocentric chromosomes without causing any issues. However, in an unbalanced form, these translocations can lead to conditions such as trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) and trisomy 21 (Down syndrome).
