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PMID: 19002142 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review

Epigenetic regulation of centromeric chromatin: old dogs, new tricks?

Nature reviews. Genetics ·Vol. 9 ·No. 12 ·2008-12-00 ·Pages 923-37

Allshire RC, Karpen GH

Abstract

The assembly of just a single kinetochore at the centromere of each sister chromatid is essential for accurate chromosome segregation during cell division. Surprisingly, despite their vital function, centromeres show considerable plasticity with respect to their chromosomal locations and activity. The establishment and maintenance of centromeric chromatin, and therefore the location of kinetochores, is epigenetically regulated. The histone H3 variant CENP-A is the key determinant of centromere identity and kinetochore assembly. Recent studies have identified many factors that affect CENP-A localization, but their precise roles in this process are unknown. We build on these advances and on new information about the timing of CENP-A assembly during the cell cycle to propose new models for how centromeric chromatin is established and propagated.

MeSH Terms
Animals Cell Cycle/physiology Centromere/physiology,ultrastructure Chromatin/genetics,physiology Chromosome Segregation/physiology Epigenesis, Genetic Histones/genetics,physiology Humans Kinetochores/physiology,ultrastructure Nucleosomes/metabolism,ultrastructure
Chemicals
Chromatin Histones Nucleosomes
Authors & Affiliations
2 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Allshire Robin C
Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, 6.34 Swann Building, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK. [email protected]
Karpen Gary H
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Article Info
Journal
Nature reviews. Genetics
Abbr.
Nat Rev Genet
ISSN
1471-0064
DOI
10.1038/nrg2466
Email
[email protected]
Published
2008-12-00
Pages
923-37
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
100962779
PMCID
PMC2586333
Subset
IM
Grants
Wellcome Trust · 065061 · United Kingdom
NIGMS NIH HHS · R01 GM066272 · United States
NIGMS NIH HHS · R01 GM066272-05 · United States
Wellcome Trust · 065061/Z · United Kingdom
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1038/nrg2466 PMC Full Text View journal details
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