Stress induced by premature chromatin condensation triggers chromosome shattering and chromothripsis at DNA sites still replicating in micronuclei or multinucleate cells when primary nuclei enter mitosis.

•Dynamic changes of interphase chromatin convert DNA damage into chromosomal damage.•PCC at DNA repairing/replicating sites induces stress that affects genome integrity.•Chromosomes trapped in micronuclei/multinucleate cells can get shattered.•PCC-induced stress underlies chromosome shattering, a precursor of chromothripsis.