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Gcn5p plays an important role in centromere kinetochore function in budding yeast
Stefano Vernarecci1, Prisca Ornaghi, Anacristina Bâgu
1Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari, CNR, c/o Dip. Genetica e Biologia Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
Molecular and Cellular Biology
|November 28, 2007
Summary
The histone acetyltransferase Gcn5p is crucial for cell cycle progression and proper mitosis. Its absence leads to significant defects in nuclear division and chromosome segregation.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Epigenetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The cell cycle and mitosis rely on precise regulation of chromosome segregation.
- Kinetochore assembly and function are critical for accurate chromosome segregation.
- Histone modifications play a role in epigenetic regulation and gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of histone acetyltransferase Gcn5p in cell cycle progression and mitosis.
- To understand the relationship between Gcn5p, centromeres, and kinetochore function.
- To elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms regulating centromere/kinetochore in mitosis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cell cycle progression in Gcn5p mutants.
- Assessment of mitotic defects, including nuclear division and chromosome loss.
- Genetic interaction studies with inner kinetochore components.
- Investigation of Gcn5p localization and its effect on centromeric nucleosomes.
Main Results:
- Absence of Gcn5p causes mitotic defects: inefficient nuclear division, chromosome loss, delayed G(2) progression, and spindle elongation.
- Gcn5p is physically associated with the centromere.
- Gcn5p influences the structure of variant centromeric nucleosomes.
- Synthetic interactions between GCN5 and inner kinetochore mutants highlight Gcn5p's role in kinetochore assembly.
Conclusions:
- Gcn5p is essential for cell cycle progression and mitotic fidelity.
- Gcn5p functions epigenetically at the centromere/kinetochore to ensure proper mitosis.
- The ADA complex, involving Gcn5p, is critical for kinetochore assembly and function.
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