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Related Concept Videos

Histone Variants at the Centromere02:30

Histone Variants at the Centromere

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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...
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Centrioles and Centrosomes01:13

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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...
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Centrosome Duplication02:25

Centrosome Duplication

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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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Centrosome Duplication02:25

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Attachment of Sister Chromatids02:57

Attachment of Sister Chromatids

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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...
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Chromosome Structure02:40

Chromosome Structure

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A functional eukaryotic chromosome must contain three elements: a centromere, telomeres, and numerous origins of replication.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins
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Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

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The molecular basis for centromere identity and function.

Kara L McKinley1, Iain M Cheeseman1

  • 1Whitehead Institute and Department of Biology, MIT, Nine Cambridge Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.

Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|November 26, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The centromere, crucial for chromosome segregation, relies on epigenetically defined regions containing the histone variant centromere protein A (CENP-A). Research is uncovering how CENP-A and associated nucleosomes establish centromere identity and recruit kinetochores for spindle microtubule attachment.

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Related Experiment Videos

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The centromere is a critical chromosomal region essential for accurate segregation during cell division (mitosis and meiosis).
  • Despite its known importance for over a century, the precise molecular mechanisms governing centromere function remain incompletely understood.
  • Eukaryotic centromeres are primarily epigenetically marked, necessitating the incorporation of the histone H3 variant, centromere protein A (CENP-A; also known as CENH3), into nucleosomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular basis of centromere identity and propagation.
  • To investigate the mechanisms by which centromeres recruit kinetochores for spindle microtubule attachment.

Main Methods:

  • This study focuses on ongoing research providing molecular insights, implying a synthesis of existing and potentially new experimental data.
  • Key areas of investigation include the role of CENP-A nucleosomes and their contribution to epigenetic centromere definition.

Main Results:

  • Centromere identity and propagation are centrally dependent on specific molecular requirements, including CENP-A nucleosomes.
  • Centromeres actively recruit kinetochore proteins, which are essential for connecting to spindle microtubules.

Conclusions:

  • The histone variant CENP-A is fundamental for establishing and maintaining centromere identity.
  • Understanding CENP-A's role and kinetochore recruitment mechanisms is key to deciphering chromosome segregation fidelity.