Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
05:35
Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins
Published on: March 3, 2016
Replicating centromeric chromatin: spatial and temporal control of CENP-A assembly
Yael Nechemia-Arbely1, Daniele Fachinetti, Don W Cleveland
1Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
Experimental Cell Research
|May 8, 2012
Summary
Centromere identity relies on CENP-A chromatin, not DNA sequences. New CENP-A deposition, regulated by cell cycle, is crucial for chromosome inheritance.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Epigenetics
Background:
- The centromere is essential for accurate chromosome inheritance.
- Centromeric chromatin features CENP-A, a histone H3 variant, replacing canonical histones.
- Centromere identity in metazoans is epigenetically determined by CENP-A chromatin, not specific DNA sequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the regulation of CENP-A deposition.
- To highlight the role of cell cycle-dependent CENP-A loading in maintaining centromere identity.
- To discuss the assembly factors involved in CENP-A deposition and maintenance.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on centromere identity and CENP-A.
- Analysis of cell cycle-dependent CENP-A deposition across different species.
- Discussion of epigenetic mechanisms governing centromeric chromatin assembly.
Main Results:
- Centromere identity is epigenetically maintained by CENP-A chromatin.
- CENP-A deposition occurs at a specific cell cycle point in metazoans.
- This cell cycle-dependent deposition is conserved across species like humans and fission yeast.
- Multiple assembly factors are required for CENP-A deposition and maintenance.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic regulation via CENP-A chromatin is fundamental for centromere identity.
- Cell cycle-regulated CENP-A deposition is critical for ensuring faithful chromosome inheritance during cell division.
- Understanding CENP-A assembly is key to comprehending centromere function and stability.
Related Concept Videos
02:30Histone 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...
02:25Centrosome 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...
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
02:25Centrosome 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...
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
02:05Duplication of Chromatin Structure
The process of chromosome duplication during cell division requires genome-wide disruption and re-assembly of chromatin. The chromatin structure must be accurately inherited, reassembled, and maintained in the daughter cells to ensure lineage propagation.
The basic unit of the chromatin is the nucleosome, consisting of DNA wrapped around octameric histone proteins and short stretches of linker DNA separating individual nucleosomes. The histone proteins within the nucleosome have their...
The basic unit of the chromatin is the nucleosome, consisting of DNA wrapped around octameric histone proteins and short stretches of linker DNA separating individual nucleosomes. The histone proteins within the nucleosome have their...
02:40Chromosome 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...
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...
03:17Inheritance 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...