CENP-A nucleosome—a chromatin-embedded pedestal for the centromere: lessons learned from structural biology. Issue 2 (28th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ali-Ahmad, Ahmad; Sekulić, Nikolina
• Editors: DeLuca, Jennifer; Fachinetti, Daniele; Dumont, Julien
• Is Part Of: Essays in biochemistry. Volume 64:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 205
• Page End: 221
• Publication Date: 2020-07-28
• Subjects: CENP-A -- centromere -- chromatin; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; 572
• DOI: 10.1042/EBC20190074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0071-1365

Abstract

Abstract: The centromere is a chromosome locus that directs equal segregation of chromosomes during cell division. A nucleosome containing the histone H3 variant CENP-A epigenetically defines the centromere. Here, we summarize findings from recent structural biology studies, including several CryoEM structures, that contributed to elucidate specific features of the CENP-A nucleosome and molecular determinants of its interactions with CENP-C and CENP-N, the only two centromere proteins that directly bind to it. Based on those findings, we propose a role of the CENP-A nucleosome in the organization of centromeric chromatin beyond binding centromeric proteins.