12 November 2021
Naish, M., Alonge, M., Wlodzimierez, P., Tock, A., Abramson, B., Schmucker, A., Mandakova, T., Bhagyshree, J., Lambing, C., Kuo, P., Yelina, N., Hartwick, N., Colt, K., Smith. L., Ton, J., Kakutani, K., Martienssen, R., Schneeberger, K., Lysak, M., Berger, F., Bousios, A., Michael, T., Schatz, M. and Henderson, I.R. - Science, 2021
The centromeres of eukaryotic chromosomes assemble the multiprotein kinetochore complex and thereby position attachment to the spindle microtubules, allowing chromosome segregation during cell division. The key function of the centromere is to load nucleosomes containing the CENTROMERE SPECIFIC HISTONE H3 (CENH3) histone variant [also known as centromere protein A (CENPA)], which directs kinetochore formation. Despite their conserved function during chromosome segregation, centromeres show radically diverse organization between species at the sequence level, ranging from single nucleosomes to megabase-scale satellite repeat arrays, which is termed the centromere paradox. Centromeric satellite repeats are variable in sequence composition and length when compared between species and show a high capacity for evolutionary change, both at the levels of primary sequence and array position along the chromosome. However, the genetic and epigenetic features that contribute to centromere function and evolution are incompletely understood, in part because of the challenges of centromere sequence assembly and functional genomics of highly repetitive sequences. New long-read DNA sequencing technologies can now resolve these complex repeat arrays, revealing insights into centromere architecture and chromatin organization.
Read the entire publicationBy submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: The Crop Science Centre, Lawrence Weaver Rd, Cambridge, CB3 0LE, GB. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.
