The centromere: chromatin foundation for the kinetochore machinery

The Aurora B Kinase in Chromosome Bi-Orientation and Spindle Checkpoint Signaling

Aurora B, a member of the Aurora family of serine/threonine protein kinases, is a key player in chromosome segregation. As part of a macromolecular complex known as the chromosome passenger complex, Aurora B concentrates early during mitosis in the proximity of centromeres and kinetochores, the sites of attachment of chromosomes to spindle microtubules. There, it contributes to a number of processes that impart fidelity to cell division, including kinetochore stabilization, kinetochore–microtubule attachment, and the regulation of a surveillance mechanism named the spindle assembly checkpoint. In the regulation of these processes, Aurora B is the fulcrum of a remarkably complex network of interactions that feed back on its localization and activation state. In this review, we discuss the multiple roles of Aurora B during mitosis, focusing in particular on its role at centromeres and kinetochores. Many details of the network of interactions at these locations remain poorly understood, and we focus here on several crucial outstanding questions.

Acentric chromosome ends are prone to fusion with functional chromosome ends through a homology-directed rearrangement

The centromeres of many eukaryotic chromosomes are established epigenetically on potentially variable tandem repeats; hence, these chromosomes are at risk of being acentric. We reported previously that artificially created acentric chromosomes in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe can be rescued by end-to-end fusion with functional chromosomes. Here, we show that most acentric/functional chromosome fusion events in S. pombe cells harbouring an acentric chromosome I differed from the non-homologous end-joining-mediated rearrangements that result in deleterious dicentric fusions in normal cells, and were elicited by a previously unidentified homologous recombination (HR) event between chromosome end-associated sequences. The subtelomere repeats associated with the non-fusogenic ends were also destabilized in the surviving cells, suggesting a causal link between general subtelomere destabilization and acentric/functional chromosome fusion. A mutational analysis indicated that a non-canonical HR pathway was involved in the rearrangement. These findings are indicative of a latent mechanism that conditionally induces general subtelomere instability, presumably in the face of accidental centromere loss events, resulting in rescue of the fatal acentric chromosomes by interchromosomal HR.

Centromere Associations in Meiotic Chromosome Pairing

Production of gametes of halved ploidy for sexual reproduction requires a specialized cell division called meiosis. The fusion of two gametes restores the original ploidy in the new generation, and meiosis thus stabilizes ploidy across generations. To ensure balanced distribution of chromosomes, pairs of homologous chromosomes (homologs) must recognize each other and pair in the first meiotic division. Recombination plays a key role in this in most studied species, but it is not the only actor and particular chromosomal regions are known to facilitate the meiotic pairing of homologs. In this review, we focus on the roles of centromeres and in particular on the clustering and pairwise associations of nonhomologous centromeres that precede stable pairing between homologs. Although details vary from species to species, it is becoming increasingly clear that these associations play active roles in the meiotic chromosome pairing process, analogous to those of the telomere bouquet.

DNA Sequence-Specific Binding of CENP-B Enhances the Fidelity of Human Centromere Function

Human centromeres are specified by a stably inherited epigenetic mark that maintains centromere position and function through a two-step mechanism relying on self-templating centromeric chromatin assembled with the histone H3 variant CENP-A, followed by CENP-A-dependent nucleation of kinetochore assembly. Nevertheless, natural human centromeres are positioned within specific megabase chromosomal regions containing α-satellite DNA repeats, which contain binding sites for the DNA sequence-specific binding protein CENP-B. We now demonstrate that CENP-B directly binds both CENP-A's amino-terminal tail and CENP-C, a key nucleator of kinetochore assembly. DNA sequence-dependent binding of CENP-B within α-satellite repeats is required to stabilize optimal centromeric levels of CENP-C. Chromosomes bearing centromeres without bound CENP-B, including the human Y chromosome, are shown to mis-segregate in cells at rates several-fold higher than chromosomes with CENP-B-containing centromeres. These data demonstrate a DNA sequence-specific enhancement by CENP-B of the fidelity of epigenetically defined human centromere function.

Regional centromeres in the yeast Candida lusitaniae lack pericentromeric heterochromatin

Point centromeres are specified by a short consensus sequence that seeds kinetochore formation, whereas regional centromeres lack a conserved sequence and instead are epigenetically inherited. Regional centromeres are generally flanked by heterochromatin that ensures high levels of cohesin and promotes faithful chromosome segregation. However, it is not known whether regional centromeres require pericentromeric heterochromatin. In the yeast Candida lusitaniae, we identified a distinct type of regional centromere that lacks pericentromeric heterochromatin. Centromere locations were determined by ChIP-sequencing of two key centromere proteins, Cse4 and Mif2, and are consistent with bioinformatic predictions. The centromeric DNA sequence was unique for each chromosome and spanned 4-4.5 kbp, consistent with regional epigenetically inherited centromeres. However, unlike other regional centromeres, there was no evidence of pericentromeric heterochromatin in C. lusitaniae. In particular, flanking genes were expressed at a similar level to the rest of the genome, and a URA3 reporter inserted adjacent to a centromere was not repressed. In addition, regions flanking the centromeric core were not associated with hypoacetylated histones or a sirtuin deacetylase that generates heterochromatin in other yeast. Interestingly, the centromeric chromatin had a distinct pattern of histone modifications, being enriched for methylated H3K79 and H3R2 but lacking methylation of H3K4, which is found at other regional centromeres. Thus, not all regional centromeres require flanking heterochromatin.

Point Mutations in Centromeric Histone Induce Post-zygotic Incompatibility and Uniparental Inheritance

The centromeric histone 3 variant (CENH3, aka CENP-A) is essential for the segregation of sister chromatids during mitosis and meiosis. To better define CENH3 functional constraints, we complemented a null allele in Arabidopsis with a variety of mutant alleles, each inducing a single amino acid change in conserved residues of the histone fold domain. Many of these transgenic missense lines displayed wild-type growth and fertility on self-pollination, but exhibited frequent post-zygotic death and uniparental inheritance when crossed with wild-type plants. The failure of centromeres marked by these missense mutation in the histone fold domain of CENH3 reproduces the genome elimination syndromes described with chimeric CENH3 and CENH3 from diverged species. Additionally, evidence that a single point mutation is sufficient to generate a haploid inducer provide a simple one-step method for the identification of non-transgenic haploid inducers in existing mutagenized collections of crop species. As proof of the extreme simplicity of this approach to create haploid-inducing lines, we performed an in silico search for previously identified point mutations in CENH3 and identified an Arabidopsis line carrying the A86V substitution within the histone fold domain. This A87V non-transgenic line, while fully fertile on self-pollination, produced postzygotic death and uniparental haploids when crossed to wild type.

The centromeric histone protein, CENH3, plays an important role in chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis. Here we show that single amino acid changes in CENH3, while producing no obvious effect on mitosis or meiosis, affect segregation postzygotically upon outcrossing to plants carrying wild-type centromeres. This results in uniparental inheritance among some progeny, and seed death in a larger fraction of progeny. Interestingly, changes competent to induce haploid in Arabidopsis existed in a TILLING population and in unrelated plant species. Our findings have two major consequences. First, uniparental inheritance facilitates the production of haploid plants that can easily be doubled to produce completely homozygous lines in a single generation. Secondly, our findings suggest that natural variation in CENH3 may result in partial reproductive isolation, because chromosomes of the mutant parent from F1 hybrid progeny are culled during embryonic development, while no reproductive defects are observed in self-pollinated plants. We do not know if the same mutations are haploid-inducing in other species, but uniparental chromosome loss, and the seed abortion that accompanies it results in an outcrossing-specific penalty that could potentially be involved in reproductive isolation.

Dynamic changes in CCAN organization through CENP-C during cell-cycle progression

Dynamic changes in CCAN organization during progression of the cell cycle are examined in chicken DT40 cells. CENP-C166-324 is sufficient for interphase centromere localization through association with CENP-L-N, and CENP-C643-864 is essential for mitotic centromere localization through binding to CENP-A nucleosomes.

The kinetochore is a crucial structure for faithful chromosome segregation during mitosis and is formed in the centromeric region of each chromosome. The 16-subunit protein complex known as the constitutive centromere-associated network (CCAN) forms the foundation for kinetochore assembly on the centromeric chromatin. Although the CCAN can be divided into several subcomplexes, it remains unclear how CCAN proteins are organized to form the functional kinetochore. In particular, this organization may vary as the cell cycle progresses. To address this, we analyzed the relationship of centromeric protein (CENP)-C with the CENP-H complex during progression of the cell cycle. We find that the middle portion of chicken CENP-C (CENP-C^166–324) is sufficient for centromere localization during interphase, potentially through association with the CENP-L-N complex. The C-terminus of CENP-C (CENP-C^601–864) is essential for centromere localization during mitosis, through binding to CENP-A nucleosomes, independent of the CENP-H complex. On the basis of these results, we propose that CCAN organization changes dynamically during progression of the cell cycle.

A quantitative description of Ndc80 complex linkage to human kinetochores

The Ndc80 complex, which mediates end-on attachment of spindle microtubules, is linked to centromeric chromatin in human cells by two inner kinetochore proteins, CENP-T and CENP-C. Here to quantify their relative contributions to Ndc80 recruitment, we combine measurements of kinetochore protein copy number with selective protein depletion assays. This approach reveals about 244 Ndc80 complexes per human kinetochore (∼14 per kinetochore microtubule), 215 CENP-C, 72 CENP-T and only 151 Ndc80s as part of the KMN protein network (1:1:1 Knl1, Mis12 and Ndc80 complexes). Each CENP-T molecule recruits ∼2 Ndc80 complexes; one as part of a KMN network. In contrast, ∼40% of CENP-C recruits only a KMN network. Replacing the CENP-C domain that binds KMN with the CENP-T domain that recruits both an Ndc80 complex and KMN network yielded functional kinetochores. These results provide a quantitative picture of the linkages between centromeric chromatin and the microtubule-binding Ndc80 complex at the human kinetochore.

Unique subcellular distribution of RPB1 with a phosphorylated C-terminal domain (CTD) in mouse oocytes during meiotic division and its relationship with chromosome separation

Polymerase (RNA) II (DNA directed) polypeptide A (RPB1) is the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), and phosphorylation of its C-terminal domain (CTD) is required for transcription initiation, elongation and RNA processing. Little is known about the CTD phosphorylation pattern and potential function during cell division when transcription is silenced. In this study, we assessed the protein expression and subcellular distribution of RPB1 during mouse oocyte meiotic division. Western blot analysis revealed that the RPB1 CTD was highly phosphorylated on Ser2 (pRPB1^Ser2), Ser5 (pRPB1^Ser5) and Ser7 (pRPB1^Ser7). High and stable expression of pRPB1^Ser2 and pRPB1^Ser5 was detected from germinal vesicle (GV) to Metaphase II (MII) stage. In contrast, pRPB1^Ser7 only emerged after germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and gradually increased to its peak level at metaphase I (MI) and MII. Immunofluorescence demonstrated that pRPB1^Ser2, pRPB1^Ser5 and pRPB1^Ser7 were pronouncedly aggregated within the nucleus of GV oocytes with a non-surrounded nucleolus (NSN) but very faintly labeled in oocytes with a surrounded nucleolus (SN). After meiotic resumption, pRPB1^Ser2 was again detected at spindle poles and co-localized with key microtubule organizing center (MTOC) components, pericentrin and γ-tubulin. pRPB1^Ser5 and pRPB1^Ser7 were assembled as filamentous aggregates and co-localized with microtubules throughout the spindle structure, responding to spindle-disturbing drugs, nocodazole or taxol, in pattern strongly similar to microtubules. pRPB1^Ser2 and pRPB1^Ser5 were constantly localized on chromosomes, with a relatively high concentration in centromere areas. Taken together, our data suggest that the CTD is highly phosphorylated and may be required for accurate chromosome segregation in mouse oocytes during meiosis.

Inner Kinetochore Protein Interactions with Regional Centromeres of Fission Yeast

Centromeres of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe lack the highly repetitive sequences that make most other "regional" centromeres refractory to analysis. To map fission yeast centromeres, we applied H4S47C-anchored cleavage mapping and native and cross-linked chromatin immunoprecipitation with paired-end sequencing. H3 nucleosomes are nearly absent from the central domain, which is occupied by centromere-specific H3 (cenH3 or CENP-A) nucleosomes with two H4s per particle that are mostly unpositioned and are more widely spaced than nucleosomes elsewhere. Inner kinetochore proteins CENP-A, CENP-C, CENP-T, CENP-I, and Scm3 are highly enriched throughout the central domain except at tRNA genes, with no evidence for preferred kinetochore assembly sites. These proteins are weakly enriched and less stably incorporated in H3-rich heterochromatin. CENP-A nucleosomes protect less DNA from nuclease digestion than H3 nucleosomes, while CENP-T protects a range of fragment sizes. Our results suggest that CENP-T particles occupy linkers between CENP-A nucleosomes and that classical regional centromeres differ from other centromeres by the absence of CENP-A nucleosome positioning.

Mitotic Transcription Installs Sgo1 at Centromeres to Coordinate Chromosome Segregation

Human sister chromatids at metaphase are primarily linked by centromeric cohesion, forming the iconic X shape. Premature loss of centromeric cohesion disrupts orderly mitotic progression. Shugoshin (Sgo1) binds to and protects cohesin at inner centromeres. The kinetochore kinase Bub1 phosphorylates histone H2A at T120 (H2A-pT120) and recruits Sgo1 to kinetochores, 0.5 μm from inner centromeres. Here, we show that Sgo1 is a direct reader of the H2A-pT120 mark. Bub1 also recruits RNA polymerase II (Pol II) to unattached kinetochores and promotes active transcription at mitotic kinetochores. Mitosis-specific inactivation of Pol II traps Sgo1 at kinetochores and weakens centromeric cohesion. Sgo1 interacts with Pol II in human cells and with RNA in vitro. We propose that Pol II-dependent transcription enables kinetochore-bound Sgo1 initially recruited by H2A-pT120 to reach cohesin embedded in centromeric chromatin. Our study implicates mitotic transcription in targeting regulatory factors to highly compacted mitotic chromatin.

CENP-C is a blueprint for constitutive centromere-associated network assembly within human kinetochores

CENP-C promotes kinetochore targeting of other constitutive centromere–associated network (CCAN) subunits by directly interacting with the four-subunit CCAN subcomplex CENP-HIKM and spatially organizing the localization of all other CCAN subunits downstream of CENP-A.

Kinetochores are multisubunit complexes that assemble on centromeres to bind spindle microtubules and promote faithful chromosome segregation during cell division. A 16-subunit complex named the constitutive centromere–associated network (CCAN) creates the centromere–kinetochore interface. CENP-C, a CCAN subunit, is crucial for kinetochore assembly because it links centromeres with the microtubule-binding interface of kinetochores. The role of CENP-C in CCAN organization, on the other hand, had been incompletely understood. In this paper, we combined biochemical reconstitution and cellular investigations to unveil how CENP-C promotes kinetochore targeting of other CCAN subunits. The so-called PEST domain in the N-terminal half of CENP-C interacted directly with the four-subunit CCAN subcomplex CENP-HIKM. We identified crucial determinants of this interaction whose mutation prevented kinetochore localization of CENP-HIKM and of CENP-TW, another CCAN subcomplex. When considered together with previous observations, our data point to CENP-C as a blueprint for kinetochore assembly.

Cell Division: A New Role for the Kinetochore in Central Spindle Assembly

The central spindle, which is formed between segregating chromosomes, is a critical structure for cell division. However, it was unclear how the central spindle is assembled at anaphase onset. A recent study reveals that a conserved kinetochore protein network plays an essential role in initiation of central spindle assembly.

Physical Mapping and Refinement of the Painted Turtle Genome (Chrysemys picta) Inform Amniote Genome Evolution and Challenge Turtle-Bird Chromosomal Conservation

Comparative genomics continues illuminating amniote genome evolution, but for many lineages our understanding remains incomplete. Here, we refine the assembly (CPI 3.0.3 NCBI AHGY00000000.2) and develop a cytogenetic map of the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta-CPI) genome, the first in turtles and in vertebrates with temperature-dependent sex determination. A comparison of turtle genomes with those of chicken, selected nonavian reptiles, and human revealed shared and novel genomic features, such as numerous chromosomal rearrangements. The largest conserved syntenic blocks between birds and turtles exist in four macrochromosomes, whereas rearrangements were evident in these and other chromosomes, disproving that turtles and birds retain fully conserved macrochromosomes for greater than 300 Myr. C-banding revealed large heterochromatic blocks in the centromeric region of only few chromosomes. The nucleolar-organizing region (NOR) mapped to a single CPI microchromosome, whereas in some turtles and lizards the NOR maps to nonhomologous sex-chromosomes, thus revealing independent translocations of the NOR in various reptilian lineages. There was no evidence for recent chromosomal fusions as interstitial telomeric-DNA was absent. Some repeat elements (CR1-like, Gypsy) were enriched in the centromeres of five chromosomes, whereas others were widespread in the CPI genome. Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones were hybridized to 18 of the 25 CPI chromosomes and anchored to a G-banded ideogram. Several CPI sex-determining genes mapped to five chromosomes, and homology was detected between yet other CPI autosomes and the globally nonhomologous sex chromosomes of chicken, other turtles, and squamates, underscoring the independent evolution of vertebrate sex-determining mechanisms.

HJURP is involved in the expansion of centromeric chromatin

The CENP-A-specific chaperone HJURP mediates CENP-A deposition at centromeres. The N-terminal region of HJURP is responsible for binding to soluble CENP-A. However, it is unclear whether other regions of HJURP have additional functions for centromere formation and maintenance. In this study, we generated chicken DT40 knockout cell lines and gene replacement constructs for HJURP to assess the additional functions of HJURP in vivo. Our analysis revealed that the middle region of HJURP associates with the Mis18 complex protein M18BP1/KNL2 and that the HJURP-M18BP1 association is required for HJURP function. In addition, on the basis of the analysis of artificial centromeres induced by ectopic HJURP localization, we demonstrate that HJURP exhibits a centromere expansion activity that is separable from its CENP-A-binding activity. We also observed centromere expansion surrounding natural centromeres after HJURP overexpression. We propose that this centromere expansion activity reflects the functional properties of HJURP, which uses this activity to contribute to the plastic establishment of a centromeric chromatin structure.

Stable Patterns of CENH3 Occupancy Through Maize Lineages Containing Genetically Similar Centromeres

While the approximate chromosomal position of centromeres has been identified in many species, little is known about the dynamics and diversity of centromere positions within species. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that DNA sequence has little or no impact in specifying centromeres in maize and in most multicellular organisms. Given that epigenetically defined boundaries are expected to be dynamic, we hypothesized that centromere positions would change rapidly over time, which would result in a diversity of centromere positions in isolated populations. To test this hypothesis, we used CENP-A/cenH3 (CENH3 in maize) chromatin immunoprecipitation to define centromeres in breeding pedigrees that included the B73 inbred as a common parent. While we found a diversity of CENH3 profiles for centromeres with divergent sequences that were not inherited from B73, the CENH3 profiles from centromeres that were inherited from B73 were indistinguishable from each other. We propose that specific genetic elements in centromeric regions favor or inhibit CENH3 accumulation, leading to reproducible patterns of CENH3 occupancy. These data also indicate that dramatic shifts in centromere position normally originate from accumulated or large-scale genetic changes rather than from epigenetic positional drift.

Discovering centromere proteins: from cold white hands to the A, B, C of CENPs

The kinetochore is a complex molecular machine that directs chromosome segregation during mitosis. It is one of the most elaborate subcellular protein structures in eukaryotes, comprising more than 100 different proteins. Inner kinetochore proteins associate with specialized centromeric chromatin containing the histone H3 variant centromere protein A (CENP-A) in place of H3. Outer kinetochore proteins bind to microtubules and signal to delay anaphase onset when microtubules are absent. Since the first kinetochore proteins were discovered and cloned 30 years ago using autoimmune sera from patients with scleroderma-spectrum disease, much has been learnt about the composition, functions and regulation of this remarkable structure.

Diversity in the organization of centromeric chromatin

Centromeric chromatin is distinguished primarily by nucleosomes containing the histone variant cenH3, which organizes the kinetochore that links the chromosome to the spindle apparatus. Whereas budding yeast have simple 'point' centromeres with single cenH3 nucleosomes, and fission yeast have 'regional' centromeres without obvious sequence specificity, the centromeres of most organisms are embedded in highly repetitive 'satellite' DNA. Recent studies have revealed a remarkable diversity in centromere chromatin organization among different lineages, including some that have lost cenH3 altogether. We review recent progress in understanding point, regional and satellite centromeres, as well as less well-studied centromere types, such as holocentromeres. We also discuss the formation of neocentromeres, the role of pericentric heterochromatin, and the structure and composition of the cenH3 nucleosome.

Separase Cleaves the N-Tail of the CENP-A Related Protein CPAR-1 at the Meiosis I Metaphase-Anaphase Transition in C. elegans

Centromeres are defined epigenetically in the majority of eukaryotes by the presence of chromatin containing the centromeric histone H3 variant CENP-A. Most species have a single gene encoding a centromeric histone variant whereas C. elegans has two: HCP-3 (also known as CeCENP-A) and CPAR-1. Prior RNAi replacement experiments showed that HCP-3 is the functionally dominant isoform, consistent with CPAR-1 not being detectable in embryos. GFP::CPAR-1 is loaded onto meiotic chromosomes in diakinesis and is enriched on bivalents until meiosis I. Here we show that GFP::CPAR-1 signal loss from chromosomes precisely coincides with homolog segregation during anaphase I. This loss of GFP::CPAR-1 signal reflects proteolytic cleavage between GFP and the histone fold of CPAR-1, as CPAR-1::GFP, in which GFP is fused to the C-terminus of CPAR-1, does not exhibit any loss of GFP signal. A focused candidate screen implicated separase, the protease that initiates anaphase by cleaving the kleisin subunit of cohesin, in this cleavage reaction. Examination of the N-terminal tail sequence of CPAR-1 revealed a putative separase cleavage site and mutation of the signature residues in this site eliminated the cleavage reaction, as visualized by retention of GFP::CPAR-1 signal on separating homologous chromosomes at the metaphase-anaphase transition of meiosis I. Neither cleaved nor uncleavable CPAR-1 were centromere-localized in mitosis and instead localized throughout chromatin, indicating that centromere activity has not been retained in CPAR-1. Although the functions of CPAR-1 and of its separase-dependent cleavage remain to be elucidated, this effort reveals a new substrate of separase and provides an in vivo biosensor to monitor separase activity at the onset of meiosis I anaphase.

Repetitive sequence analysis and karyotyping reveals centromere-associated DNA sequences in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

BACKGROUND

Radish (Raphanus sativus L., 2n = 2x = 18) is a major root vegetable crop especially in eastern Asia. Radish root contains various nutritions which play an important role in strengthening immunity. Repetitive elements are primary components of the genomic sequence and the most important factors in genome size variations in higher eukaryotes. To date, studies about repetitive elements of radish are still limited. To better understand genome structure of radish, we undertook a study to evaluate the proportion of repetitive elements and their distribution in radish.

RESULTS

We conducted genome-wide characterization of repetitive elements in radish with low coverage genome sequencing followed by similarity-based cluster analysis. Results showed that about 31% of the genome was composed of repetitive sequences. Satellite repeats were the most dominating elements of the genome. The distribution pattern of three satellite repeat sequences (CL1, CL25, and CL43) on radish chromosomes was characterized using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). CL1 was predominantly located at the centromeric region of all chromosomes, CL25 located at the subtelomeric region, and CL43 was a telomeric satellite. FISH signals of two satellite repeats, CL1 and CL25, together with 5S rDNA and 45S rDNA, provide useful cytogenetic markers to identify each individual somatic metaphase chromosome. The centromere-specific histone H3 (CENH3) has been used as a marker to identify centromere DNA sequences. One putative CENH3 (RsCENH3) was characterized and cloned from radish. Its deduced amino acid sequence shares high similarities to those of the CENH3s in Brassica species. An antibody against B. rapa CENH3, specifically stained radish centromeres. Immunostaining and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) tests with anti-BrCENH3 antibody demonstrated that both the centromere-specific retrotransposon (CR-Radish) and satellite repeat (CL1) are directly associated with RsCENH3 in radish.

CONCLUSIONS

Proportions of repetitive elements in radish were estimated and satellite repeats were the most dominating elements. Fine karyotyping analysis was established which allow us to easily identify each individual somatic metaphase chromosome. Immunofluorescence- and ChIP-based assays demonstrated the functional significance of satellite and centromere-specific retrotransposon at centromeres. Our study provides a valuable basis for future genomic studies in radish.

Centromeres Off the Hook: Massive Changes in Centromere Size and Structure Following Duplication of CenH3 Gene in Fabeae Species

In most eukaryotes, centromere is determined by the presence of the centromere-specific histone variant CenH3. Two types of chromosome morphology are generally recognized with respect to centromere organization. Monocentric chromosomes possess a single CenH3-containing domain in primary constriction, whereas holocentric chromosomes lack the primary constriction and display dispersed distribution of CenH3. Recently, metapolycentric chromosomes have been reported in Pisum sativum, representing an intermediate type of centromere organization characterized by multiple CenH3-containing domains distributed across large parts of chromosomes that still form a single constriction. In this work, we show that this type of centromere is also found in other Pisum and closely related Lathyrus species, whereas Vicia and Lens genera, which belong to the same legume tribe Fabeae, possess only monocentric chromosomes. We observed extensive variability in the size of primary constriction and the arrangement of CenH3 domains both between and within individual Pisum and Lathyrus species, with no obvious correlation to genome or chromosome size. Search for CenH3 gene sequences revealed two paralogous variants, CenH3-1 and CenH3-2, which originated from a duplication event in the common ancestor of Fabeae species. The CenH3-1 gene was subsequently lost or silenced in the lineage leading to Vicia and Lens, whereas both genes are retained in Pisum and Lathyrus. Both of these genes appear to have evolved under purifying selection and produce functional CenH3 proteins which are fully colocalized. The findings described here provide the first evidence for a highly dynamic centromere structure within a group of closely related species, challenging previous concepts of centromere evolution.

The CENP-A N-tail confers epigenetic stability to centromeres via the CENP-T branch of the CCAN in fission yeast

In most eukaryotes, centromeres are defined epigenetically by presence of the histone H3 variant CENP-A [1-3]. CENP-A-containing chromatin recruits the constitutive centromere-associated network (CCAN) of proteins, which in turn directs assembly of the outer kinetochore to form microtubule attachments and ensure chromosome segregation fidelity [4-6]. Whereas the mechanisms that load CENP-A at centromeres are being elucidated, the functions of its divergent N-terminal tail remain enigmatic [7-12]. Here, we employ the well-studied fission yeast centromere [13-16] to investigate the function of the CENP-A (Cnp1) N-tail. We show that alteration of the N-tail does not affect Cnp1 loading at centromeres, outer kinetochore formation, or spindle checkpoint signaling but nevertheless elevates chromosome loss. N-tail mutants exhibited synthetic lethality with an altered centromeric DNA sequence, with rare survivors harboring chromosomal fusions in which the altered centromere was epigenetically inactivated. Elevated centromere inactivation was also observed for N-tail mutants with unaltered centromeric DNA sequences. N-tail mutants specifically reduced localization of the CCAN proteins Cnp20/CENP-T and Mis6/CENP-I, but not Cnp3/CENP-C. Overexpression of Cnp20/CENP-T suppressed defects in an N-tail mutant, suggesting a link between reduced CENP-T recruitment and the observed centromere inactivation phenotype. Thus, the Cnp1 N-tail promotes epigenetic stability of centromeres in fission yeast, at least in part via recruitment of the CENP-T branch of the CCAN.