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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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...
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...

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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

The epigenetic basis for centromere identity.

Tanya Panchenko1, Ben E Black

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6059, USA.

Progress in Molecular and Subcellular Biology
|June 13, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Centromeres, crucial for chromosome segregation, are epigenetically defined in most eukaryotes. The histone variant CENP-A acts as an epigenetic mark, establishing and maintaining centromere identity throughout the cell cycle.

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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

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

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Generation of Centromere-Associated Protein-E CENP-E-/- Knockout Cell Lines using the CRISPR/Cas9 System
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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Centromeres are essential for accurate chromosome segregation during cell division (mitosis and meiosis).
  • In most eukaryotes, including mammals, centromere location is determined epigenetically rather than by DNA sequence.
  • Understanding the interplay of genetic and epigenetic factors in centromere function is an active area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review key findings on centromere specification across diverse eukaryotes.
  • To emphasize the epigenetic mechanisms underlying centromere determination.
  • To highlight the role of CENP-A in establishing and maintaining centromere identity.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and experimental findings from various model organisms.
  • Focus on studies elucidating epigenetic specification of centromeres.
  • Analysis of research on the histone H3 variant CENP-A.

Main Results:

  • Centromere identity is primarily epigenetically defined, not genetically encoded.
  • The histone H3 variant CENP-A is the key epigenetic mark at centromeres.
  • CENP-A nucleosomes are crucial for the initial establishment and cell-cycle-dependent maintenance of centromere identity.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic mechanisms, particularly CENP-A deposition, are fundamental to centromere function.
  • Centromere identity is a dynamic epigenetic state perpetuated through cell division.
  • Further research in diverse eukaryotes continues to refine our understanding of centromere specification.