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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...
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...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 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

Epigenomics of centromere assembly and function.

Kaitlin M Stimpson1, Beth A Sullivan

  • 1Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy and Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, 101 Science Drive, Box 3382, Durham, NC 27708, USA.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|August 3, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Centromere identity relies on epigenetic and genomic factors, including CENP-A chromatin and transcription. Understanding these mechanisms is key to centromere formation and inactivation in cell division.

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

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Last Updated: Jun 10, 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

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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Generation of Centromere-Associated Protein-E CENP-E-/- Knockout Cell Lines using the CRISPR/Cas9 System
11:49

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

Published on: June 23, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • The centromere is a critical chromosomal region essential for accurate cell division.
  • Centromere formation involves complex genomic and epigenetic regulation.
  • Studies on unusual chromosomes provide insights into centromere dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the mechanisms governing centromere activation and inactivation.
  • To highlight the roles of unique chromatin and transcription in centromere identity.
  • To deepen the understanding of centromere behavior in diverse genomic contexts.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of neocentromeres, artificial chromosomes, and dicentric chromosomes.
  • Investigation of histone H3 variant CENP-A.
  • Examination of heterochromatin, euchromatin, and transcriptional activity.

Main Results:

  • Centromere identity is established through both sequence-dependent and sequence-independent pathways.
  • CENP-A chromatin, classical chromatin states, and transcription are crucial for centromere function.
  • These factors influence the activation and inactivation of centromeres.

Conclusions:

  • Centromere formation and maintenance are dynamic processes influenced by chromatin and transcription.
  • Advances in studying engineered chromosomes have expanded our view of centromere biology.
  • A comprehensive understanding of centromere regulation is vital for cell division research.