Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Histone Variants at the Centromere

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...

Chromosome Structure

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...

Chromosome Structure

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 Duplication

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 Duplication

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...

Karyotyping

Karyotyping

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The oxidative cost of losing low temperature viability protein 1 [Ltv1]: insights into cellular damage and homeostasis.

FEMS yeast research·2026

Same author

A scalable approach for genomic-first rare disorder detection in a healthcare-based population.

American journal of human genetics·2025

Same author

X and Y gene dosage effects are primary contributors to human sexual dimorphism: The case of height.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025

Same author

A Benchtop Approach To Measuring S-AdenosylMethionine Metabolite Levels Using HILIC UPLC-MS.

Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science·2025

Same author

Genomic Screening at a Single Health System.

JAMA network open·2025

Same author

Structural Variation Interpretation in the Genome Sequencing Era: Lessons from Cytogenetics.

Clinical chemistry·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

Published on: March 3, 2016

Sequences associated with centromere competency in the human genome.

Karen E Hayden¹, Erin D Strome, Stephanie L Merrett

¹Duke Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.

Molecular and Cellular Biology

|December 12, 2012

Summary

Human centromeres, crucial for cell division, are linked to alpha satellite DNA. This study reveals that specific DNA sequences enable centromere specification, integrating genomic and epigenetic factors for inheritance.

More Related Videos

Quantitative Immunofluorescence Assay to Measure the Variation in Protein Levels at Centrosomes

Quantitative Immunofluorescence Assay to Measure the Variation in Protein Levels at Centrosomes

Published on: December 20, 2014

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

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

Published on: June 23, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 16, 2026

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

Published on: March 3, 2016

Quantitative Immunofluorescence Assay to Measure the Variation in Protein Levels at Centrosomes

Quantitative Immunofluorescence Assay to Measure the Variation in Protein Levels at Centrosomes

Published on: December 20, 2014

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

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

Published on: June 23, 2023

Area of Science:

Genetics
Molecular Biology
Epigenetics

Background:

Centromeres are essential genomic regions for spindle fiber attachment during cell division.
Centromeres in the human genome are typically located at alpha satellite DNA sequences.
The precise sequence features determining functional centromere identity remain largely unknown due to repetitive DNA.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the sequence-based competency for centromere specification in the human genome.
To understand the role of genomic and epigenetic signals in defining functional centromeres.

Main Methods:

Genomic and epigenetic functional analysis of endogenous human centromere sequences.
Development of a broadly applicable experimental approach to test sequence competency.

Main Results:

Identified specific alpha satellite DNA sequences capable of conferring centromere identity.
Demonstrated that functionally competent sequences integrate both genomic and epigenetic signals.
Provided evidence for context-dependent centromere inheritance.

Conclusions:

Functionally competent DNA sequences provide the foundation for centromere specification.
Centromere identity is established through a combination of genomic and epigenetic information.
Centromere inheritance is influenced by the context of these genomic and epigenetic signals.