Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins
Published on: March 3, 2016
Dynamic Centromeres Under Epigenetic Constraint
Emma M Anderson1, Barbara G Mellone1
1Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA ;
Abstract:
Centromeres are essential chromosomal loci specified epigenetically by CENP-A chromatin, yet they undergo rapid sequence turnover, structural remodeling, and occasional repositioning. In this review, we integrate recent advances enabled by long-read genome assemblies and high-resolution chromatin mapping to synthesize current understanding of centromere organization across taxa. We examine how satellite repeats, transposable elements, molecular drive, and meiotic conflict generate extreme centromere diversity. We further explore how DNA methylation and H3K9me3 heterochromatin constrain CENP-A positioning, stabilize centromeric domains, and shape boundary dynamics during centromere drift, duplication, and de novo formation. Together, these perspectives show how centromeres accommodate evolutionary change while preserving the stringent requirements of faithful chromosome segregation.
Related Concept Videos
Histone Variants at the Centromere
Inheritance of Chromatin Structures
Heterochromatin
Constitutive heterochromatin: It is a highly compact region of chromatin that is mostly concentrated in the centromere and telomere. Unlike euchromatin, the amino acid at 9th...
Heterochromatin
Constitutive heterochromatin: It is a highly compact region of chromatin that is mostly concentrated in the centromere and telomere. Unlike euchromatin, the amino acid at 9th...
Euchromatin
Euchromatin is the less dense region of the chromatin and stains lighter. Euchromatin contains histone H3 extensively...
Euchromatin
Euchromatin is the less dense region of the chromatin and stains lighter. Euchromatin contains histone H3 extensively...

