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Related Concept Videos

Chromosome Structure02:40

Chromosome Structure

A functional eukaryotic chromosome must contain three elements: a centromere, telomeres, and numerous origins of replication.
The centromere is a DNA sequence that links sister chromatids. This is also where kinetochores, protein complexes to which spindle microtubules attach, are constructed after the chromosome is replicated. The kinetochores allow the spindle microtubules to move the chromosomes within the cell during cell division.
Telomeres consist of non-coding repetitive nucleotide...
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...
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...
Centrosome Duplication02:25

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...
Attachment of Sister Chromatids02:57

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...
Forces Acting on Chromosomes02:11

Forces Acting on Chromosomes

During mitosis, chromosome movements occur through the interplay of multiple piconewton level forces. In prometaphase, these forces help in chromosome assembly or congression at the equatorial plane, eventually leading to their alignment at the metaphase plate. The forces acting on the chromosomes are space and time-dependent; therefore, they vary with the position of the chromosomes as the cell progresses through mitosis. 
Microtubules and motor proteins exert two types of forces on...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

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

Epigenetics regulate centromere formation and kinetochore function.

Randall S Gieni1, Gordon K T Chan, Michael J Hendzel

  • 1Department of Oncology, University of Alberta and Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry
|April 12, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The centromere, essential for cell division, is epigenetically marked by CENH3. This histone variant ensures correct kinetochore formation and sister chromatid cohesion for accurate chromosome segregation.

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

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Functional Assessment of Kinesin-7 CENP-E in Spermatocytes Using In Vivo Inhibition, Immunofluorescence and Flow Cytometry
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Functional Assessment of Kinesin-7 CENP-E in Spermatocytes Using In Vivo Inhibition, Immunofluorescence and Flow Cytometry

Published on: December 28, 2021

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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

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

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)
09:02

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

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Functional Assessment of Kinesin-7 CENP-E in Spermatocytes Using In Vivo Inhibition, Immunofluorescence and Flow Cytometry
09:41

Functional Assessment of Kinesin-7 CENP-E in Spermatocytes Using In Vivo Inhibition, Immunofluorescence and Flow Cytometry

Published on: December 28, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • The centromere is crucial for chromosome segregation during cell division.
  • It's characterized by low recombination and is essential for sister chromatid cohesion and kinetochore formation.
  • Centromeric DNA varies across species, but a conserved feature is the histone H3 variant, CENP-A (CENH3).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the structural and epigenetic mechanisms defining functional centromere identity.
  • To explain how CENH3 establishes and maintains the centromere's epigenetic state.
  • To detail the role of centromeric chromatin in kinetochore assembly and chromosome segregation.

Main Methods:

  • The study integrates cytological, functional, and structural analyses of centromeric chromatin.
  • It focuses on the role of CENH3 and associated epigenetic modifications.
  • A model for centromere specification through epigenetic marking during DNA replication is proposed.

Main Results:

  • Centromere function relies on a unique chromatin domain marked by CENH3.
  • Epigenetic modifications create a loop chromatin structure with exterior CENH3 for kinetochores and interior heterochromatin for cohesion.
  • Pericentric heterochromatin supports spindle assembly checkpoint function.

Conclusions:

  • Centromere identity is epigenetically maintained by CENH3 deposition during DNA replication.
  • This self-reinforcing epigenetic state ensures reliable centromere marking and optimal chromatin structure for kinetochore function.
  • The findings provide a model for centromere specification and function in eukaryotes.