Loading time of the centromeric histone H3 variant differs between plants and animals

The Parental Centromere Sizes Remain Unaltered in Allopolyploid Wheat-Rye Hybrids

INTRODUCTION

In chromatin nucleosomes, the presence - instead of canonical histone H3 - of its variant, CENH3 (in plants), is considered the most reliable marker of the location of centromeres. In this study, we investigated the effects of distant hybridization and maternal cytoplasm on centromere size in allopolyploid hybrids between wheat and rye as compared to their parental forms.

METHODS

Centromere sizes were measured using 2D images of CENH3 fluorescent signals on interphase nuclei obtained from parental forms and a triticale hybrid (genomic formula AABBBRR), in which the maternal form is wheat and secalotriticum hybrids (genomic formula RRAABBB) in which the maternal form is rye. For measurements, we selected the largest spherical nuclei with large nucleoli in the late G2 phase, in which most of the loading of CENH3 into centromeric chromatin takes place.

RESULTS

When processing the results of the measurement of centromere sizes in the hybrids, the obtained values were compared with those expected for the case of no change in centromere sizes in any of the parental sets of chromosomes. We found no significant differences between expected and measured values.

CONCLUSION

We believe that, in the case of allopolyploid hybrids between wheat and rye, centromeres of chromosomes from the parental species retain the sizes formed during evolution. This conservatism may be promoted by the high similarity in the structure of the CENH3 molecules between these species.

The role of centromeric repeats and transcripts in kinetochore assembly and function

Centromeres are the chromosomal domains, where the kinetochore protein complex is formed, mediating proper segregation of chromosomes during cell division. Although the function of centromeres has remained conserved during evolution, centromeric DNA is highly variable, even in closely related species. In addition, the composition of the kinetochore complexes varies among organisms. Therefore, it is assumed that the centromeric position is determined epigenetically, and the centromeric histone H3 (CENH3) serves as an epigenetic marker. The loading of CENH3 onto centromeres depends on centromere-licensing factors, chaperones, and transcription of centromeric repeats. Several proteins that regulate CENH3 loading and kinetochore assembly interact with the centromeric transcripts and DNA in a sequence-independent manner. However, the functional aspects of these interactions are not fully understood. This review discusses the variability of centromeric sequences in different organisms and the regulation of their transcription through the RNA Pol II and RNAi machinery. The data suggest that the interaction of proteins involved in CENH3 loading and kinetochore assembly with centromeric DNA and transcripts plays a role in centromere, and possibly neocentromere, formation in a sequence-independent manner.

Non-Rabl chromosome organization in endoreduplicated nuclei of barley embryo and endosperm tissues

Rabl organization is a type of interphase chromosome arrangement with centromeres and telomeres clustering at opposite nuclear poles. Here, we analyzed nuclear morphology and chromosome organization in cycling and endoreduplicated nuclei isolated from embryo and endosperm tissues of developing barley seeds. We show that endoreduplicated nuclei have an irregular shape, less sister chromatid cohesion at 5S rDNA loci, and a reduced amount of centromeric histone CENH3. While the chromosomes of the embryo and endosperm nuclei are initially organized in Rabl configuration, the centromeres and telomeres are intermingled within the nuclear space in the endoreduplicated nuclei with an increasing endoreduplication level. Such a loss of chromosome organization suggests that Rabl configuration is introduced and further reinforced by mitotic divisions in barley cell nuclei in a tissue- and seed age-dependent manner.

Immunolabeling of Nuclei/Chromosomes in Arabidopsis thaliana

The cell cycle is a complex sequence of events by which cells grow and divide mitotically or meiotically. Mitosis results in the generation of two identical daughter cells, while meiosis generates gametes as a prerequisite for sexual reproduction. To study the localization and dynamics of proteins involved in the regulation and proceeding of the cell cycle, life cell imaging of proteins fused to fluorescent tags can be performed. However, in some cases this approach cannot be applied, e.g., due to low fluorescence intensity, fast bleaching, or degradation of recombinant proteins by the proteasome pathway. Instead, immunolabeling with protein-specific antibodies offers a useful approach for the analysis of intact cells. Alternatively, immunolabeling can also be applied to isolated and/or flow-sorted nuclei of particular cell cycle stages (G1, S, and G2) or of different endopolyploidy levels. The following chapter will detail indirect immunolabeling protocols to analyze the subcellular localization and distribution of cell cycle-specific proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Emerging roles of centromeric RNAs in centromere formation and function

BACKGROUND

Centromeres are specialized chromosomal domains involved in kinetochore formation and faithful chromosome segregation. Despite a high level of functional conservation, centromeres are not identified by DNA sequences, but by epigenetic means. Universally, centromeres are typically formed on highly repetitive DNA, which were previously considered to be silent. However, recent studies have shown that transcription occurs in this region, known as centromeric-derived RNAs (cenRNAs). CenRNAs that contribute to fundamental aspects of centromere function have been recently investigated in detail. However, the distribution, behavior and contributions of centromeric transcripts are still poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the roles of cenRNAs in centromere formation and function.

METHODS

We describe the structure and DNA sequence of centromere from yeast to human. In addition, we briefly introduce the roles of cenRNAs in centromere formation and function, kinetochore structure, accurate chromosome segregation, and pericentromeric heterochromatin assembly. Centromeric circular RNAs (circRNAs) and R-loops are rising stars in centromere function. CircRNAs have been successfully identified in various species with the assistance of high-throughput sequencing and novel computational approaches for non-polyadenylated RNA transcripts. Centromeric R-loops can be identified by the single-strand DNA ligation-based library preparation technique. But the molecular features and function of these centromeric R-loops and circRNAs are still being investigated.

CONCLUSION

In this review, we summarize recent findings on the epigenetic regulation of cenRNAs across species, which would provide useful information about cenRNAs and interesting hints for further studies.

Comparing DNA replication programs reveals large timing shifts at centromeres of endocycling cells in maize roots

Plant cells undergo two types of cell cycles–the mitotic cycle in which DNA replication is coupled to mitosis, and the endocycle in which DNA replication occurs in the absence of cell division. To investigate DNA replication programs in these two types of cell cycles, we pulse labeled intact root tips of maize (Zea mays) with 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU) and used flow sorting of nuclei to examine DNA replication timing (RT) during the transition from a mitotic cycle to an endocycle. Comparison of the sequence-based RT profiles showed that most regions of the maize genome replicate at the same time during S phase in mitotic and endocycling cells, despite the need to replicate twice as much DNA in the endocycle and the fact that endocycling is typically associated with cell differentiation. However, regions collectively corresponding to 2% of the genome displayed significant changes in timing between the two types of cell cycles. The majority of these regions are small with a median size of 135 kb, shift to a later RT in the endocycle, and are enriched for genes expressed in the root tip. We found larger regions that shifted RT in centromeres of seven of the ten maize chromosomes. These regions covered the majority of the previously defined functional centromere, which ranged between 1 and 2 Mb in size in the reference genome. They replicate mainly during mid S phase in mitotic cells but primarily in late S phase of the endocycle. In contrast, the immediately adjacent pericentromere sequences are primarily late replicating in both cell cycles. Analysis of CENH3 enrichment levels in 8C vs 2C nuclei suggested that there is only a partial replacement of CENH3 nucleosomes after endocycle replication is complete. The shift to later replication of centromeres and possible reduction in CENH3 enrichment after endocycle replication is consistent with a hypothesis that centromeres are inactivated when their function is no longer needed.

In traditional cell division, or mitosis, a cell’s genetic material is duplicated and then split between two daughter cells. In contrast, in some specialized cell types, the DNA is duplicated a second time without an intervening division step, resulting in cells that carry twice as much DNA. This phenomenon, which is called the endocycle, is common during plant development. At each step, DNA replication follows an ordered program in which highly compacted DNA is unraveled and replicated in sections at different times during the synthesis (S) phase. In plants, it is unclear whether traditional and endocycle programs are the same, especially since endocycling cells are typically in the process of differentiation. Using root tips of maize, we found that in comparison to replication in the mitotic cell cycle, there is a small portion of the genome whose replication in the endocycle is shifted in time, usually to later in S phase. Some of these regions are scattered around the genome and mostly coincide with active genes. However, the most prominent shifts occur in centromeres. The shift to later replication in centromeres is noteworthy because they orchestrate the process of separating duplicated chromosomes into daughter cells, a function that is not needed in the endocycle.

The H3 histone chaperone NASPSIM3 escorts CenH3 in Arabidopsis

Centromeres define the chromosomal position where kinetochores form to link the chromosome to microtubules during mitosis and meiosis. Centromere identity is determined by incorporation of a specific histone H3 variant termed CenH3. As for other histones, escort and deposition of CenH3 must be ensured by histone chaperones, which handle the non-nucleosomal CenH3 pool and replenish CenH3 chromatin in dividing cells. Here, we show that the Arabidopsis orthologue of the mammalian NUCLEAR AUTOANTIGENIC SPERM PROTEIN (NASP) and Schizosaccharomyces pombe histone chaperone Sim3 is a soluble nuclear protein that binds the histone variant CenH3 and affects its abundance at the centromeres. NASP^SIM3 is co-expressed with Arabidopsis CenH3 in dividing cells and binds directly to both the N-terminal tail and the histone fold domain of non-nucleosomal CenH3. Reduced NASP^SIM3 expression negatively affects CenH3 deposition, identifying NASP^SIM3 as a CenH3 histone chaperone.

Production of a Human Cell Line with a Plant Chromosome

It is a major challenge in biology to know whether chromosome functions of replication, segregation, gene expression, inheritance, etc. are conserved among evolutionary distant organisms where common structural features are maintained. Establishment of hybrid cell lines between evolutionary distant organisms, such as humans and plants, would be one of the promising synthetic approaches to study the evolutionary conservation of chromosome functions. In this chapter, we describe the protocol for successful establishment of human cell lines with a functional plant chromosome. Systematic analyses of hybrid cells will facilitate the evolutionary study of organisms with respect to chromosome functions. It will also provide a basic platform for genome writing and construction of chromosomal shuttle vectors .

Centromere Size and Its Relationship to Haploid Formation in Plants

Wide species crosses often result in uniparental genome elimination and visible failures in centromere function. Crosses involving lines with mutated forms of the CENH3 histone variant that organizes the centromere/kinetochore interface have been shown to have similar effects, inducing haploids at high frequencies. Here, we propose a simple centromere size model that endeavors to explain both observations. It is based on the idea of a quantitative centromere architecture where each centromere in an individual is the same size, and the average size is dictated by a natural equilibrium between bound and unbound CENH3 (and its chaperones or binding proteins). While centromere size is determined by the cellular milieu, centromere positions are heritable and defined by the interactions of a small set of proteins that bind to both DNA and CENH3. Lines with defective or mutated CENH3 have a lower loading capacity and support smaller centromeres. In cases where a line with small or defective centromeres is crossed to a line with larger or normal centromeres, the smaller/defective centromeres are selectively degraded or not maintained, resulting in chromosome loss from the small-centromere parent. The model is testable and generalizable, and helps to explain the counterintuitive observation that inducer lines do not induce haploids when crossed to themselves.

Maintenance and Function of a Plant Chromosome in Human Cells

Replication, segregation, gene expression, and inheritance are essential features of all eukaryotic chromosomes. To delineate the extent of conservation of chromosome functions between humans and plants during evolutionary history, we have generated the first human cell line containing an Arabidopsis chromosome. The Arabidopsis chromosome was mitotically stable in hybrid cells following cell division, and initially existed as a translocated chromosome. During culture, the translocated chromosomes then converted to two types of independent plant chromosomes without human DNA sequences, with reproducibility. One pair of localization signals of CENP-A, a marker of functional centromeres was detected in the Arabidopsis genomic region in independent plant chromosomes. These results suggest that the chromosome maintenance system was conserved between human and plants. Furthermore, the expression of plant endogenous genes was observed in the hybrid cells, implicating that the plant chromosomal region existed as euchromatin in a human cell background and the gene expression system is conserved between two organisms. The present study suggests that the essential chromosome functions are conserved between evolutionarily distinct organisms such as humans and plants. Systematic analyses of hybrid cells may lead to the production of a shuttle vector between animal and plant, and a platform for the genome writing.

Centromeres and kinetochores of Brassicaceae

The centromere-the primary constriction of monocentric chromosomes-is essential for correct segregation of chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis. Centromeric DNA varies between different organisms in sequence composition and extension. The main components of centromeric and pericentromeric DNA of Brassicaceae species are centromeric satellite repeats. Centromeric DNA initiates assembly of the kinetochore, the large protein complex where the spindle fibers attach during nuclear division to pull sister chromatids apart. Kinetochore assembly is initiated by incorporation of the centromeric histone H3 cenH3 into centromeric nucleosomes. The spindle assembly checkpoint acts during mitosis and meiosis at centromeres and maintains genome stability by preventing chromosome segregation before all kinetochores are correctly attached to microtubules. The function of the spindle assembly checkpoint in plants is still poorly understood. Here, we review recent advances of studies on structure and functional importance of centromeric DNA of Brassicaceae, assembly and function of cenH3 in Arabidopsis thaliana and characterization of core SAC proteins of A. thaliana in comparison with non-plant homologues.

Histone H3 dynamics in plant cell cycle and development

Chromatin is a macromolecular complex where DNA associates with histone proteins and a variety of non-histone proteins. Among the 4 histone types present in nucleosomes, histone H3 is encoded by a large number of genes in most eukaryotic species and is the histone that contains the largest variety of potential post-translational modifications in the N-terminal amino acid residues. In addition to centromeric histone H3, 2 major types of histone H3 exist, namely the canonical H3.1 and the variant H3.3. In this article, we review the most recent observations on the distinctive features of plant H3 proteins in terms of their expression and dynamics during the cell cycle and at various developmental stages. We also include a discussion on the histone H3 chaperones that actively participate in H3 deposition, in particular CAF-1, HIRA and ASF1, and on the putative plant homologs of human ATRX and DEK chaperones. Accumulating evidence confirms that the balanced deposition of H3.1 and H3.3 is of primary relevance for cell differentiation during plant organogenesis.

Loading of the centromeric histone H3 variant during meiosis-how does it differ from mitosis?

In eukaryotic phyla studied so far, the essential centromeric histone H3 variant (CENH3) is loaded to centromeric nucleosomes after S-phase (except for yeast) but before mitotic segregation (except for metazoan). While the C-terminal part of CENH3 seems to be sufficient for mitotic centromere function in plants, meiotic centromeres neither load nor tolerate impaired CENH3 molecules. However, details about CENH3 deposition in meiocytes are unknown (except for Drosophila). Therefore, we quantified fluorescence signals after the immunostaining of CENH3 along meiotic and mitotic nuclear division cycles of rye, a monocotyledonous plant. One peak of fluorescence intensity appeared in the early meiotic prophase of pollen mother cells and a second one during interkinesis, both followed by a decrease of CENH3. Then, the next loading occurred in the male gametophyte before its first mitotic division. These data indicate that CENH3 loading differs between mitotic and meiotic nuclei. Contrary to the situation in mitotic cycles, CENH3 deposition is biphasic during meiosis and apparently linked with a quality check, a removal of impaired CENH3 molecules, and a general loss of CENH3 after each loading phase. These steps ensure an endowment of centromeres with a sufficient amount of correct CENH3 molecules as a prerequisite for centromere maintenance during mitotic cycles of the microgametophyte and the progeny. From a comparison with data available for Drosophila, we hypothesise that the post-divisional mitotic CENH3 loading in metazoans is evolutionarily derived from the post-divisional meiotic loading phase, while the pre-divisional first meiotic loading has been conserved among eukaryotes.

Looking at plant cell cycle from the chromatin window

The cell cycle is defined by a series of complex events, finely coordinated through hormonal, developmental and environmental signals, which occur in a unidirectional manner and end up in producing two daughter cells. Accumulating evidence reveals that chromatin is not a static entity throughout the cell cycle. In fact, there are many changes that include nucleosome remodeling, histone modifications, deposition and exchange, among others. Interestingly, it is possible to correlate the occurrence of several of these chromatin-related events with specific processes necessary for cell cycle progression, e.g., licensing of DNA replication origins, the E2F-dependent transcriptional wave in G1, the activation of replication origins in S-phase, the G2-specific transcription of genes required for mitosis or the chromatin packaging occurring in mitosis. Therefore, an emerging view is that chromatin dynamics must be considered as an intrinsic part of cell cycle regulation. In this article, we review the main features of several key chromatin events that occur at defined times throughout the cell cycle and discuss whether they are actually controlling the transit through specific cell cycle stages.

CENP-A: the key player behind centromere identity, propagation, and kinetochore assembly

Chromosome segregation is the one of the great problems in biology with complexities spanning from biophysics and polymer dynamics to epigenetics. Here, we summarize the current knowledge and highlight gaps in understanding of the mechanisms controlling epigenetic regulation of chromosome segregation.

Interphase chromatin organisation in Arabidopsis nuclei: constraints versus randomness

The spatial chromatin organisation and molecular interactions within and between chromatin domains and chromosome territories (CTs) are essential for fundamental processes such as replication, transcription and DNA repair via homologous recombination. To analyse the distribution and interaction of whole CTs, centromeres, (sub)telomeres and ~100-kb interstitial chromatin segments in endopolyploid nuclei, specific FISH probes from Arabidopsis thaliana were applied to 2-64C differentiated leaf nuclei. Whereas CTs occupy a distinct and defined volume of the nucleus and do not obviously intermingle with each other in 2-64C nuclei, ~100-kb sister chromatin segments within these CTs become more non-cohesive with increasing endopolyploidy. Centromeres, preferentially located at the nuclear periphery, may show ring- or half-moon like shapes in 2C and 4C nuclei. Sister centromeres tend to associate up to the 8C level. From 16C nuclei on, they become progressively separated. The higher the polyploidy level gets, the more separate chromatids are present. Due to sister chromatid separation in highly endopolyploid nuclei, the centromeric histone variant CENH3, the 180-bp centromeric repeats and pericentromeric heterochromatin form distinct subdomains at adjacent but not intermingling positions. The (sub)telomeres are frequently associated with each other and with the nucleolus and less often with centromeres. The extent of chromatid separation and of chromatin decondensation at subtelomeric chromatin segments varies between chromosome arms. A mainly random distribution and similar shapes of CTs even at higher ploidy levels indicate that in general no substantial CT reorganisation occurs during endopolyploidisation. Non-cohesive sister chromatid regions at chromosome arms and at the (peri)centromere are accompanied by a less dense chromatin conformation in highly endopolyploid nuclei. We discuss the possible function of this conformation in comparison to transcriptionally active regions at insect polytene chromosomes.

The E2F transcription factor family regulates CENH3 expression in Arabidopsis thaliana

To elucidate the epigenetic maintenance mechanism for functional plant centromeres, we studied transcriptional regulation of the centromere-specific histone H3 variant CENH3 in Arabidopsis thaliana. We focused on the structure and activity of the CENH3 promoter (CENH3pro) and its regulation by E2F transcription factors. Use of CENH3pro::GUS reporter gene constructs showed that CENH3pro is active in dividing tissues, and that full expression in root meristems depends on intragenic regulatory elements within the second intron. Chromatin immunoprecipitation identified CENH3 as an E2F target gene. Transient co-expression of a CENH3pro::GUS reporter gene construct with various E2F transcription factors in A. thaliana protoplasts showed that E2Fa and E2Fb (preferentially with dimerization protein DPb) activate CENH3pro. Stable over-expression of E2Fa and E2Fb increased the CENH3 transcript level in planta, whereas over-expression of E2Fc decreased the CENH3 transcript level. Surprisingly, mutation of the two E2F binding sites of CENH3pro, in particular the more upstream one (E2F2), caused an increase in CENH3pro activity, indicating E2F-dependent transcriptional repression. CENH3pro repression may be triggered by the interplay of typical and atypical E2Fs in a cell cycle-dependent manner, and/or by interaction of typical E2Fs with retinoblastoma-related (RBR) protein. We speculate that E2Fs are involved in differential transcriptional regulation of CENH3 versus H3, as H3 promoters lack E2F binding motifs. E2F binding motifs are also present in human and Drosophila CENH3pro regions, thus cell cycle-dependent transcriptional regulation of CENH3 may be highly conserved.

Deposition, turnover, and release of CENH3 at Arabidopsis centromeres

The kinetochore is a complex multiprotein structure located at centromeres and required for the proper segregation of chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis. An important role in kinetochore assembly and function plays the centromeric histone H3 variant (CENH3). Cell cycle stage of CENH3 deposition to centromeres varies between different organisms. We confirmed by in vivo studies that deposition of Arabidopsis CENH3 takes place at centromeres during G2 and demonstrated that additionally a low turnover of CENH3 occurs along the cell cycle, apparently for replacement of damaged protein. Furthermore, enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP)-CENH3 of photobleached chromocenters is not replaced by EYFP-CENH3 molecules from unbleached centromeres of the same nucleus, indicating a stable incorporation of CENH3 into centromeric nucleosomes. In differentiated endopolyploid nuclei however, the amount of CENH3 at centromeres declines with age.

Centromeres: unique chromatin structures that drive chromosome segregation

Fidelity during chromosome segregation is essential to prevent aneuploidy. The proteins and chromatin at the centromere form a unique site for kinetochore attachment and allow the cell to sense and correct errors during chromosome segregation. Centromeric chromatin is characterized by distinct chromatin organization, epigenetics, centromere-associated proteins and histone variants. These include the histone H3 variant centromeric protein A (CENPA), the composition and deposition of which have been widely investigated. Studies have examined the structural and biophysical properties of the centromere and have suggested that the centromere is not simply a 'landing pad' for kinetochore formation, but has an essential role in mitosis by assembling and directing the organization of the kinetochore.

Xenopus HJURP and condensin II are required for CENP-A assembly

Chromatin structure imposed by condensin II at centromeres enables xHJURP-mediated incorporation of CENP-A.

Centromeric protein A (CENP-A) is the epigenetic mark of centromeres. CENP-A replenishment is necessary in each cell cycle to compensate for the dilution associated to DNA replication, but how this is achieved mechanistically is largely unknown. We have developed an assay using Xenopus egg extracts that can recapitulate the spatial and temporal specificity of CENP-A deposition observed in human cells, providing us with a robust in vitro system amenable to molecular dissection. Here we show that this deposition depends on Xenopus Holliday junction–recognizing protein (xHJURP), a member of the HJURP/Scm3 family recently identified in yeast and human cells, further supporting the essential role of these chaperones in CENP-A loading. Despite little sequence homology, human HJURP can substitute for xHJURP. We also report that condensin II, but not condensin I, is required for CENP-A assembly and contributes to retention of centromeric CENP-A nucleosomes both in mitosis and interphase. We propose that the chromatin structure imposed by condensin II at centromeres enables CENP-A incorporation initiated by xHJURP.

Recognition of A. thaliana centromeres by heterologous CENH3 requires high similarity to the endogenous protein

The centromere is an essential chromosomal component assembling the kinetochore for chromosome attachment to the spindle microtubules and for directing the chromosome segregation during nuclear division. Kinetochore assembly requires deposition of the centromeric histone H3 variant (CENH3) into centromeric nucleosomes. CENH3 has a variable N-terminal and a more conserved C-terminal part, including the loop1 region of the histone fold domain, which is considered to be critical for centromere targeting. To investigate the structural requirements for centromere targeting, constructs for EYFP-tagged CENH3 of A. lyrata, A. arenosa, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Zea mays and Luzula nivea (the latter with holocentric chromosomes) were transformed into A. thaliana. Except for LnCENH3, all recombinant CENH3 proteins targeted A. thaliana centromeres, but the more distantly related the heterologous protein is, the lower is the efficiency of targeting. Alignment of CENH3 sequences revealed that the tested species share only three amino acids at loop1 region: threonine2, arginine12 and alanine15. These three amino acids were substituted by asparagine, proline and valine encoding sequences within a recombinant EYFP-AtCENH3 construct via PCR mutagenesis prior to transformation of A. thaliana. After transformation, immunostaining of root tip nuclei with anti-GFP antibodies yielded only diffuse signals, indicating that the original three amino acids are necessary but not sufficient for targeting A. thaliana centromeres.

Dynamics of a novel centromeric histone variant CenH3 reveals the evolutionary ancestral timing of centromere biogenesis

The centromeric histone H3 variant (CenH3) serves to target the kinetochore to the centromeres and thus ensures correct chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis. The Dictyostelium H3-like variant H3v1 was identified as the CenH3 ortholog. Dictyostelium CenH3 has an extended N-terminal domain with no similarity to any other known proteins and a histone fold domain at its C-terminus. Within the histone fold, α-helix 2 (α2) and an extended loop 1 (L1) have been shown to be required for targeting CenH3 to centromeres. Compared to other known and putative CenH3 histones, Dictyostelium CenH3 has a shorter L1, suggesting that the extension is not an obligatory feature. Through ChIP analysis and fluorescence microscopy of live and fixed cells, we provide here the first survey of centromere structure in amoebozoa. The six telocentric centromeres were found to mostly consist of all the DIRS-1 elements and to associate with H3K9me3. During interphase, the centromeres remain attached to the centrosome forming a single CenH3-containing cluster. Loading of Dictyostelium CenH3 onto centromeres occurs at the G2/prophase transition, in contrast to the anaphase/telophase loading of CenH3 observed in metazoans. This suggests that loading during G2/prophase is the ancestral eukaryotic mechanism and that anaphase/telophase loading of CenH3 has evolved more recently after the amoebozoa diverged from the animal linage.

Identification of a maize neocentromere in an oat-maize addition line

We report a neocentromere event on maize chromosome 3 that occurred due to chromosome breakage. The neocentromere lies on a fragment of the short arm that lacks the primary centromere DNA elements, CentC and CRM. It is transmitted in the genomic background of oat via a new centromere (and kinetochore), as shown by immunolocalization of the oat CENH3 protein. Despite normal transmission of the maize fragment in most progeny, neocentromeres appear to vary in size within the same tissue, as shown by fluorescent measurements. A secondary truncation in one line lowered mitotic transmission to 3% and precipitously reduced the size of the chromosome. The results support the view that neocentromere formation is generally associated with major genomic disturbances such as wide species crosses or deletion of an existing centromere. The data further suggest that new centromeres may undergo a period of instability that is corrected over a period of several generations.

Chromatin and the cell cycle meet in Madrid

At the end of June 2008, researchers from diverse fields, ranging from chromatin remodeling to cell cycle control, gathered in Madrid at a Cantoblanco Workshop entitled 'Chromatin at the Nexus of Cell Division and Differentiation'. The work discussed at this meeting, which was co-organized by Crisanto Gutierrez, Ben Scheres and Ueli Grossniklaus, highlighted the emerging connections that exist between cell cycle regulation and chromatin in both animals and plants.