Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

05:35
Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins
Published on: March 3, 2016
Chromatin remodeling proteins interact with pericentrin to regulate centrosome integrity
James Edward Sillibourne1, Bénédicte Delaval, Sambra Redick
1Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
Molecular Biology of the Cell
|July 13, 2007
Summary
Pericentrin anchors molecules to centrosomes. A specific complex with CHD3 protein is essential for centrosome integrity and proper cell division, preventing mitotic failure.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Pericentrin is a key centrosomal protein involved in anchoring other molecules.
- The nucleosome remodeling deacetylase (NuRD) complex plays roles in gene regulation and cell structure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between pericentrin and components of the NuRD complex.
- To determine the role of CHD3 and CHD4 proteins in pericentrin localization and centrosome function.
Main Methods:
- Yeast two-hybrid screening to identify interacting proteins.
- Coimmunoprecipitation to confirm protein interactions.
- RNA interference (RNAi) to deplete specific proteins.
- Overexpression studies to assess functional impact.
- Time-lapse microscopy to observe cell division dynamics.
Main Results:
- Pericentrin interacts with CHD4 and other NuRD components, which localize to centrosomes and midbodies.
- Overexpression of CHD4 or CHD3 disrupts pericentrin localization.
- Depletion of CHD3, but not CHD4, causes pericentrin and gamma-tubulin dissociation from centrosomes.
- CHD3 depletion leads to disrupted microtubule organization, abnormal cell morphology, and mitotic failure.
Conclusions:
- Pericentrin forms complexes with both CHD3 and CHD4.
- A specific pericentrin-CHD3 complex is crucial for anchoring pericentrin and gamma-tubulin to centrosomes.
- This complex is essential for maintaining centrosome integrity and ensuring successful cell division.
Related Concept Videos
Nucleosome Remodeling
Nucleosomes are the basic units of chromatin compaction. Each nucleosome consists of the DNA bound tightly around a histone core, which makes the DNA inaccessible to DNA binding proteins such as DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase. Hence, the fundamental problem is to ensure access to DNA when appropriate, despite the compact and protective chromatin structure.
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
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...
Centrioles and Centrosomes
Most animal cells comprise a pair of centrioles together called a centrosome. The cell duplicates its centrosome and contains two centrosomes side-by-side, which begin to move apart during the prophase. As the centrosomes migrate to two different sides of the cell, microtubules start extending from each centrosome toward the other end. The mitotic spindle is composed of the centrosomes and their emerging microtubules.
Near the end of the prophase, also called late prophase or "prometaphase,"...
Near the end of the prophase, also called late prophase or "prometaphase,"...
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...
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, 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...
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...

