Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying DNA...
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Histone Variants at the Centromere02:30

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...
Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression02:35

Chromatin Position Affects Gene Expression

Chromatin is the massive complex of DNA and proteins packaged inside the nucleus. The complexity of chromatin folding and how it is packaged inside the nucleus greatly influences  access to genetic information. Generally, the nucleus' periphery is considered transcriptionally repressive, while the cell's interior is considered a transcriptionally active area. 
Topologically Associated Domains (TADs)
The 3-dimensional positioning of chromatin in the nucleus influences the timing and level of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

KAS-CUT&Tag for direct mapping of transcription bubbles.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Superabundant microRNAs are transcribed from human rDNA spacer promoters insulated by CTCF.

Science advances·2026
Same author

RNA polymerase II: the elephant in the room.

Trends in genetics : TIG·2026
Same author

Higher order repeat structures reflect diverging evolutionary paths in maize centromeres and knobs.

Genome biology·2026
Same author

The evolutionary genomics of meiotic drive.

Molecular biology and evolution·2026
Same author

Cell-cycle-dependent repression of histone gene transcription by histone H4.

Nature structural & molecular biology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers
10:28

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers

Published on: September 20, 2018

Centromeres put epigenetics in the driver's seat.

R Kelly Dawe1, Steven Henikoff

  • 1Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA. kelly@plantbio.uga.edu

Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|November 1, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Centromeres, crucial for chromosome segregation, are maintained epigenetically to prevent selfish DNA repeats from altering kinetochore size and skewing inheritance. Key proteins likely evolved to disrupt these selfish interactions, ensuring stable Mendelian segregation.

More Related Videos

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins
05:35

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

Published on: March 3, 2016

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues
10:41

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues

Published on: April 5, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers
10:28

Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers

Published on: September 20, 2018

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins
05:35

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

Published on: March 3, 2016

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues
10:41

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues

Published on: April 5, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Centromeres are essential chromosomal regions for spindle attachment during cell division.
  • Centromere function relies on both DNA sequence and epigenetic mechanisms.
  • Selfish DNA repeats pose a threat by potentially disrupting centromere function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolutionary stability of centromere maintenance mechanisms.
  • To investigate the role of epigenetic inheritance in regulating kinetochore size.
  • To understand how centromeres resist the influence of selfish DNA repeats.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical modeling of epigenetic inheritance and selfish DNA dynamics.
  • Analysis of evolutionary pressures on kinetochore protein evolution.
  • Comparative genomics to identify conserved mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Sequence-specific interactions with selfish DNA are evolutionarily unstable.
  • Epigenetic inheritance provides a mechanism for maintaining optimal kinetochore size.
  • Kinetochore protein evolution appears to counteract selfish DNA expansion.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic centromere maintenance is crucial for preventing disruptions by selfish DNA.
  • Evolutionary adaptations in kinetochore proteins likely restore epigenetic inheritance and ensure accurate chromosome segregation.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is vital for comprehending genome stability.