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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...

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

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 Regulation

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 Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

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

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

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

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

Published on: March 3, 2016

Epigenetic control of centromere behavior.

¹Karolinska Institutet, Department of Biosciences/School of Life Sciences, University College Södertörn, 141 89 Huddinge, Sweden. karl.ekwall@sh.se

Annual Review of Genetics

|August 23, 2007

Summary

Centromere DNA sequences vary, yet proteins and structures are conserved through epigenetic mechanisms. Heritable centromere states propagate independently of DNA, involving histone variants and RNA interference.

Area of Science:

Genetics
Epigenetics
Molecular Biology

Background:

The centromere is crucial for genetic stability.
Centromere DNA sequences are highly variable, unlike conserved proteins and structural domains.
Heritable centromere states can be propagated independently of DNA sequences.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the epigenetic mechanisms governing centromere assembly and propagation.
To highlight the roles of specific molecular players in centromere epigenetics.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on centromere biology and epigenetics.
Analysis of the molecular machinery involved in centromere regulation.

Main Results:

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Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

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Mass Spectrometry Analysis to Identify Ubiquitylation of EYFP-tagged CENP-A (EYFP-CENP-A)

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Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers

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Centromere assembly and propagation are controlled by epigenetic mechanisms.

A centromeric histone variant (CenH3) and histone modifications are key to centromeric chromatin.

Histone modifications and RNA interference are vital for pericentric heterochromatin assembly.

Conclusions:

Epigenetic control of centromeres utilizes molecular machinery shared with gene expression regulation.
Factors like nucleosome remodeling factors, histone chaperones, modifying enzymes, transcription factors, and RNA polymerase II are involved.
Understanding these epigenetic mechanisms is vital for comprehending genetic stability.