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Histone Variants at the Centromere

Histone Variants at the Centromere

Histone variants are the histone proteins with structural and sequence variations. These variants may be regarded as “mutant” forms that replace their canonical histone counterparts in the nucleosomes. Specific post-translational modifications on the histone variants enable further chromatin complexity and regulate tissue-specific gene expression. The most common histone variants are from histone H2A, H2B, and linker histone H1 families. However, several variants of histone H3 variants are also...

Centrosome Duplication

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The primary microtubule organizing center (MTOC) in animal cells is the centrosome. A centrosome has two cylindrical centrioles at its core. Each centriole consists of nine sets of three microtubules held together by proteins. The centrioles are positioned at right angles to each other and surrounded by a shapeless protein cloud called the pericentriolar matrix, or pericentriolar material (PCM).
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Attachment of Sister Chromatids

Attachment of Sister Chromatids

As cells progress into mitosis, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the condensed chromosomes are exposed to the array of bipolar microtubules of the mitotic spindle. The kinetochore, a large, disc-shaped protein complex, is present at the centromere region of the sister chromatids and acts as a binding site for the microtubules. Usually, the plus-end of a single microtubule is embedded within the kinetochore. However, some kinetochores first establish lateral contact with the side-wall of a...

Determining the Plane of Cell Division

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Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function.
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Centrosome Duplication

Centrosome Duplication

The primary microtubule organizing center (MTOC) in animal cells is the centrosome. A centrosome has two cylindrical centrioles at its core. Each centriole consists of nine sets of three microtubules held together by proteins. The centrioles are positioned at right angles to each other and surrounded by a shapeless protein cloud called the pericentriolar matrix, or pericentriolar material (PCM).
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...

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Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function.
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

Published on: March 3, 2016

Determining centromere identity: cyclical stories and forking paths.

B A Sullivan¹, M D Blower, G H Karpen

¹Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.

Nature Reviews. Genetics

|August 3, 2001

Summary

Centromeres, essential for chromosome segregation, are epigenetically determined, not by DNA sequence. This review explores centromeric chromatin organization and models of centromere identity.

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Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Genetics
Epigenetics

Background:

The centromere is a critical genetic locus for accurate chromosome segregation during cell division.
It serves as the attachment site for spindle fibers, ensuring proper inheritance of genetic material.
Despite over a century of study, the mechanisms determining centromere activity and kinetochore formation remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in understanding centromeric chromatin organization and function.
To evaluate current models explaining epigenetic determination of centromere identity.
To elucidate how centromeres are established and propagated across cell generations.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent studies on centromeric chromatin.
Analysis of experimental data supporting epigenetic centromere determination.
Evaluation of existing models for centromere identity and propagation.

Main Results:

Evidence strongly supports epigenetic mechanisms, rather than DNA sequence, in defining centromere identity in most eukaryotes.
Centromeric chromatin organization plays a key role in kinetochore assembly and function.
Recent studies have shed light on the propagation of centromere identity through cell divisions.

Conclusions:

Centromere identity is primarily epigenetically regulated, involving specialized chromatin.
Understanding these epigenetic mechanisms is crucial for comprehending chromosome segregation and inheritance.
Further research is needed to fully elucidate the dynamic processes of centromere establishment and maintenance.