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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...
Centrioles and Centrosomes01:13

Centrioles and Centrosomes

Most animal cells comprise a pair of centrioles together called a centrosome. The cell duplicates its centrosome and contains two centrosomes side-by-side, which begin to move apart during the prophase. As the centrosomes migrate to two different sides of the cell, microtubules start extending from each centrosome toward the other end. The mitotic spindle is composed of the centrosomes and their emerging microtubules.
Near the end of the prophase, also called late prophase or "prometaphase,"...
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...
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).
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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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Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins
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Published on: March 3, 2016

Epigenetic aspects of centromere function in plants.

James A Birchler1, Zhi Gao, Anupma Sharma

  • 1Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. BirchlerJ@Missouri.edu

Current Opinion in Plant Biology
|March 18, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Centromeres, crucial for cell division, have epigenetic and structural factors influencing their activity. DNA sequence and configuration play a role in establishing centromere sites, even forming new ones called neocentromeres.

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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Centromeres were traditionally viewed as static chromosomal regions essential for mitosis and meiosis.
  • Recent studies highlight an epigenetic role in centromere specification, including inactive centromeres and neocentromere formation over unique DNA.
  • The stability of centromeric repeats, their transcription, and kinetochore incorporation suggest DNA sequence or configuration influences kinetochore site establishment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the epigenetic and structural factors governing centromere activity in plants.
  • To explore the interplay between DNA sequence, epigenetic modifications, and centromere function.
  • To provide evidence for the dynamic nature of centromere specification in the plant kingdom.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of centromeric DNA sequences and their epigenetic states.
  • Investigation of centromere transcription and kinetochore assembly.
  • Comparative studies across different plant species to identify conserved and variable features.

Main Results:

  • Evidence supporting both epigenetic and structural roles in plant centromere activity.
  • Demonstration that DNA sequence or configuration contributes to kinetochore site establishment.
  • Observation of neocentromere formation and reactivation of inactive centromeres in plants.

Conclusions:

  • Plant centromere activity is influenced by a combination of epigenetic marks and underlying DNA structure.
  • The DNA sequence and its configuration are critical for defining and maintaining centromere function.
  • Centromeres exhibit plasticity, with the potential for epigenetic reprogramming and the formation of neocentromeres.