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

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 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

Centromere identity: a challenge to be faced.

Gunjan D Mehta1, Meenakshi P Agarwal, Santanu Kumar Ghosh

  • 1Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India.

Molecular Genetics and Genomics : MGG
|June 30, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Centromere identity, crucial for chromosome stability, is epigenetically determined by CENP-A and histone modifications, not DNA sequence. This review explores current models and de novo centromere formation mechanisms.

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Last Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins
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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • The centromere is essential for accurate chromosome segregation during cell division.
  • Misregulation of centromere function leads to aneuploidy, developmental defects, and cancer.
  • Centromere identity is primarily epigenetically determined, not by specific DNA sequences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current models explaining centromere identity.
  • To discuss the epigenetic mechanisms underlying centromere determination and perpetuation.
  • To explore de novo centromere formation and neocentromeres.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on centromere biology.
  • Analysis of epigenetic factors, including CENP-A and histone modifications.
  • Examination of models for centromere locus determination and inheritance.

Main Results:

  • Centromere identity relies on epigenetic marks, particularly CENP-A (a histone H3 variant) and histone posttranslational modifications.
  • Existing DNA sequences are not the primary determinant of centromere identity.
  • Extrachromosomal chromatin can be marked as a partitioning locus via CENP-A homolog deposition in yeast.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic mechanisms, centered on CENP-A, are fundamental for establishing and maintaining centromere identity.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is key to addressing diseases linked to chromosome missegregation.
  • Further research into de novo centromere formation offers insights into centromere plasticity and function.