1
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Chen YL, Jones AN, Crawford A, Sattler M, Ettinger A, Torres-Padilla ME. Determinants of minor satellite RNA function in chromosome segregation in mouse embryonic stem cells. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202309027. [PMID: 38625077 PMCID: PMC11022885 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202309027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The centromere is a fundamental higher-order structure in chromosomes ensuring their faithful segregation upon cell division. Centromeric transcripts have been described in several species and suggested to participate in centromere function. However, low sequence conservation of centromeric repeats appears inconsistent with a role in recruiting highly conserved centromeric proteins. Here, we hypothesized that centromeric transcripts may function through a secondary structure rather than sequence conservation. Using mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), we show that an imbalance in the levels of forward or reverse minor satellite (MinSat) transcripts leads to severe chromosome segregation defects. We further show that MinSat RNA adopts a stem-loop secondary structure, which is conserved in human α-satellite transcripts. We identify an RNA binding region in CENPC and demonstrate that MinSat transcripts function through the structured region of the RNA. Importantly, mutants that disrupt MinSat secondary structure do not cause segregation defects. We propose that the conserved role of centromeric transcripts relies on their secondary RNA structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Li Chen
- Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells (IES), Helmholtz Munich, München, Germany
| | - Alisha N. Jones
- Institute of Structural Biology, Molecular Targets and Therapeutics Center, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Amy Crawford
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael Sattler
- Institute of Structural Biology, Molecular Targets and Therapeutics Center, Helmholtz Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Bioscience, Bavarian NMR Center, School of Natural Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Andreas Ettinger
- Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells (IES), Helmholtz Munich, München, Germany
| | - Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla
- Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells (IES), Helmholtz Munich, München, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München, Germany
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2
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Kyriacou E, Heun P. Centromere structure and function: lessons from Drosophila. Genetics 2023; 225:iyad170. [PMID: 37931172 PMCID: PMC10697814 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster serves as a powerful model organism for advancing our understanding of biological processes, not just by studying its similarities with other organisms including ourselves but also by investigating its differences to unravel the underlying strategies that evolved to achieve a common goal. This is particularly true for centromeres, specialized genomic regions present on all eukaryotic chromosomes that function as the platform for the assembly of kinetochores. These multiprotein structures play an essential role during cell division by connecting chromosomes to spindle microtubules in mitosis and meiosis to mediate accurate chromosome segregation. Here, we will take a historical perspective on the study of fly centromeres, aiming to highlight not only the important similarities but also the differences identified that contributed to advancing centromere biology. We will discuss the current knowledge on the sequence and chromatin organization of fly centromeres together with advances for identification of centromeric proteins. Then, we will describe both the factors and processes involved in centromere organization and how they work together to provide an epigenetic identity to the centromeric locus. Lastly, we will take an evolutionary point of view of centromeres and briefly discuss current views on centromere drive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eftychia Kyriacou
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Heun
- Wellcome Centre of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3BF Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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3
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Hara M, Ariyoshi M, Sano T, Nozawa RS, Shinkai S, Onami S, Jansen I, Hirota T, Fukagawa T. Centromere/kinetochore is assembled through CENP-C oligomerization. Mol Cell 2023:S1097-2765(23)00379-9. [PMID: 37295434 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Kinetochore is an essential protein complex required for accurate chromosome segregation. The constitutive centromere-associated network (CCAN), a subcomplex of the kinetochore, associates with centromeric chromatin and provides a platform for the kinetochore assembly. The CCAN protein CENP-C is thought to be a central hub for the centromere/kinetochore organization. However, the role of CENP-C in CCAN assembly needs to be elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that both the CCAN-binding domain and the C-terminal region that includes the Cupin domain of CENP-C are necessary and sufficient for chicken CENP-C function. Structural and biochemical analyses reveal self-oligomerization of the Cupin domains of chicken and human CENP-C. We find that the CENP-C Cupin domain oligomerization is vital for CENP-C function, centromeric localization of CCAN, and centromeric chromatin organization. These results suggest that CENP-C facilitates the centromere/kinetochore assembly through its oligomerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Hara
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Mariko Ariyoshi
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tomoki Sano
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Ryu-Suke Nozawa
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Cancer Institute of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan
| | - Soya Shinkai
- Laboratory for Developmental Dynamics, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Shuichi Onami
- Laboratory for Developmental Dynamics, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | | | - Toru Hirota
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Cancer Institute of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Fukagawa
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
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4
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Flores Servin JC, Brown RR, Straight AF. Repression of CENP-A assembly in metaphase requires HJURP phosphorylation and inhibition by M18BP1. J Cell Biol 2023; 222:e202110124. [PMID: 37141119 PMCID: PMC10165474 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202110124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Centromeres are the foundation for mitotic kinetochore assembly and thus are essential for chromosome segregation. Centromeres are epigenetically defined by nucleosomes containing the histone H3 variant CENP-A. CENP-A nucleosome assembly is uncoupled from replication and occurs in G1, but how cells control this timing is incompletely understood. The formation of CENP-A nucleosomes in vertebrates requires CENP-C and the Mis18 complex which recruit the CENP-A chaperone HJURP to centromeres. Using a cell-free system for centromere assembly in X. laevis egg extracts, we discover two activities that inhibit CENP-A assembly in metaphase. HJURP phosphorylation prevents the interaction between HJURP and CENP-C in metaphase, blocking the delivery of soluble CENP-A to centromeres. Non-phosphorylatable mutants of HJURP constitutively bind CENP-C in metaphase but are not sufficient for new CENP-A assembly. We find that the M18BP1.S subunit of the Mis18 complex also binds to CENP-C to competitively inhibit HJURP's access to centromeres. Removal of these two inhibitory activities causes CENP-A assembly in metaphase.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel R. Brown
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Aaron F. Straight
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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5
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Virant D, Vojnovic I, Winkelmeier J, Endesfelder M, Turkowyd B, Lando D, Endesfelder U. Unraveling the kinetochore nanostructure in Schizosaccharomyces pombe using multi-color SMLM imaging. J Cell Biol 2023; 222:213836. [PMID: 36705602 PMCID: PMC9930162 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202209096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The key to ensuring proper chromosome segregation during mitosis is the kinetochore (KT), a tightly regulated multiprotein complex that links the centromeric chromatin to the spindle microtubules and as such leads the segregation process. Understanding its architecture, function, and regulation is therefore essential. However, due to its complexity and dynamics, only its individual subcomplexes could be studied in structural detail so far. In this study, we construct a nanometer-precise in situ map of the human-like regional KT of Schizosaccharomyces pombe using multi-color single-molecule localization microscopy. We measure each protein of interest (POI) in conjunction with two references, cnp1CENP-A at the centromere and sad1 at the spindle pole. This allows us to determine cell cycle and mitotic plane, and to visualize individual centromere regions separately. We determine protein distances within the complex using Bayesian inference, establish the stoichiometry of each POI and, consequently, build an in situ KT model with unprecedented precision, providing new insights into the architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Virant
- https://ror.org/05r7n9c40Department of Systems and Synthetic Microbiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiologyand LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ilijana Vojnovic
- https://ror.org/05r7n9c40Department of Systems and Synthetic Microbiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiologyand LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Marburg, Germany,Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA,Institute for Microbiology and Biotechnology, Rheinische-Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jannik Winkelmeier
- https://ror.org/05r7n9c40Department of Systems and Synthetic Microbiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiologyand LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Marburg, Germany,Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA,Institute for Microbiology and Biotechnology, Rheinische-Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc Endesfelder
- https://ror.org/05591te55Institute for Assyriology and Hittitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Bartosz Turkowyd
- https://ror.org/05r7n9c40Department of Systems and Synthetic Microbiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiologyand LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Marburg, Germany,Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA,Institute for Microbiology and Biotechnology, Rheinische-Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - David Lando
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ulrike Endesfelder
- https://ror.org/05r7n9c40Department of Systems and Synthetic Microbiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiologyand LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Marburg, Germany,Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA,Institute for Microbiology and Biotechnology, Rheinische-Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany,Correspondence to Ulrike Endesfelder:
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6
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Dong Q, Li F. Cell cycle control of kinetochore assembly. Nucleus 2022; 13:208-220. [PMID: 36037227 PMCID: PMC9427032 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2022.2115246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The kinetochore is a large proteinaceous structure assembled on the centromeres of chromosomes. The complex machinery links chromosomes to the mitotic spindle and is essential for accurate chromosome segregation during cell division. The kinetochore is composed of two submodules: the inner and outer kinetochore. The inner kinetochore is assembled on centromeric chromatin and persists with centromeres throughout the cell cycle. The outer kinetochore attaches microtubules to the inner kinetochore, and assembles only during mitosis. The review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms governing the proper assembly of the outer kinetochore during mitosis and highlights open questions for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianhua Dong
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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7
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Pesenti ME, Raisch T, Conti D, Walstein K, Hoffmann I, Vogt D, Prumbaum D, Vetter IR, Raunser S, Musacchio A. Structure of the human inner kinetochore CCAN complex and its significance for human centromere organization. Mol Cell 2022; 82:2113-2131.e8. [PMID: 35525244 PMCID: PMC9235857 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Centromeres are specialized chromosome loci that seed the kinetochore, a large protein complex that effects chromosome segregation. A 16-subunit complex, the constitutive centromere associated network (CCAN), connects between the specialized centromeric chromatin, marked by the histone H3 variant CENP-A, and the spindle-binding moiety of the kinetochore. Here, we report a cryo-electron microscopy structure of human CCAN. We highlight unique features such as the pseudo GTPase CENP-M and report how a crucial CENP-C motif binds the CENP-LN complex. The CCAN structure has implications for the mechanism of specific recognition of the CENP-A nucleosome. A model consistent with our structure depicts the CENP-C-bound nucleosome as connected to the CCAN through extended, flexible regions of CENP-C. An alternative model identifies both CENP-C and CENP-N as specificity determinants but requires CENP-N to bind CENP-A in a mode distinct from the classical nucleosome octamer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion E Pesenti
- Department of Mechanistic Cell Biology, Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Straße 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Tobias Raisch
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Straße 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Duccio Conti
- Department of Mechanistic Cell Biology, Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Straße 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Kai Walstein
- Department of Mechanistic Cell Biology, Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Straße 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ingrid Hoffmann
- Department of Mechanistic Cell Biology, Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Straße 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Dorothee Vogt
- Department of Mechanistic Cell Biology, Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Straße 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Daniel Prumbaum
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Straße 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ingrid R Vetter
- Department of Mechanistic Cell Biology, Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Straße 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Stefan Raunser
- Department of Structural Biochemistry, Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Straße 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Andrea Musacchio
- Department of Mechanistic Cell Biology, Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Straße 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany; Centre for Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse, 45141 Essen, Germany.
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8
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A particle size threshold governs diffusion and segregation of PAR-3 during cell polarization. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110652. [PMID: 35417695 PMCID: PMC9093022 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The actomyosin cortex regulates the localization and function of proteins at the plasma membrane. Here, we study how membrane binding, cortical movements, and diffusion determine membrane protein distribution. In Caenorhabditis elegans zygotes, actomyosin flows transport PAR polarity proteins to establish the anterior-posterior axis. Oligomerization of a key scaffold protein, PAR-3, is required for polarization. PAR-3 oligomers are a heterogeneous population of many different sizes, and it remains unclear how oligomer size affects PAR-3 segregation. To address this question, we engineered PAR-3 to defined sizes. We report that PAR-3 trimers are necessary and sufficient for PAR-3 function during polarization and later embryo development. Quantitative analysis of PAR-3 diffusion shows that a threshold size of three subunits allows PAR-3 clusters to stably bind the membrane, where they are corralled and transported by the actomyosin cortex. Our study provides a quantitative model for size-dependent protein transportation of peripheral membrane proteins by cortical flow. The actomyosin cytoskeleton is a major regulator of cellular organization. Chang and Dickinson develop protein-engineering and particle-tracking tools to study how clustered membrane-bound proteins are transported by actomyosin contractions in vivo. Data-driven modeling reveals how membrane binding, diffusion, and collisions with F-actin contribute to protein movement.
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9
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Wu S, Cao L, Ke L, Yan Y, Luo H, Hu X, Niu J, Li H, Xu H, Chen W, Pan Y, He Y. Knockdown of CENPK inhibits cell growth and facilitates apoptosis via PTEN-PI3K-AKT signalling pathway in gastric cancer. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:8890-8903. [PMID: 34382342 PMCID: PMC8435434 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have indicated that centromere protein K (CENPK) is upregulated in several cancers and related to tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, the potential function of CENPK in gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown. Here, we investigated the function of CENPK on oncogenicity and explored its underlying mechanisms in GC. Our results showed that CENPK was dramatically overexpressed in GC and was associated with poor prognosis through bioinformatics analysis. We demonstrated that CENPK is upregulated in GC tissues and cell lines. Moreover, knockdown of CENPK significantly inhibited proliferation in vitro and attenuated the growth of implanted GCs in vivo. In addition, CENPK silencing induced G1 phase cell cycle arrest and facilitated apoptosis of GC cells. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the PI3K-AKT signalling pathway was considerably enriched. Knockdown of CENPK decreased the expression of PI3K, p-Akt (Ser437) and p-GSK3β (Ser9) in GC cells, and increased the expression of PTEN. In conclusion, this study indicated that CENPK was overexpressed in GC and may promote gastric carcinogenesis through the PTEN-PI3K-AKT signalling pathway. Thus, CENPK may be a potential target for cancer therapeutics in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shusheng Wu
- Anhui Provincial HospitalCheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Lulu Cao
- Department of Medical OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhuiChina
| | - Lihong Ke
- Department of Medical OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhuiChina
| | - Ying Yan
- Department of Medical OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhuiChina
| | - Huiqin Luo
- Department of Medical OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhuiChina
| | - Xiaoxiu Hu
- Department of Medical OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhuiChina
| | - Jiayu Niu
- Department of Medical OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhuiChina
| | - Huimin Li
- Department of Medical OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhuiChina
| | - Huijun Xu
- Department of Medical OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhuiChina
| | - Wenju Chen
- Department of Medical OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCDivision of Life Sciences and MedicineUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhuiChina
| | - Yueyin Pan
- Department of Medical OncologyAnhui Provincial HospitalHefeiAnhuiChina
| | - Yifu He
- Department of Medical OncologyAnhui Provincial HospitalHefeiAnhuiChina
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10
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Nagpal H, Fierz B. The Elusive Structure of Centro-Chromatin: Molecular Order or Dynamic Heterogenetity? J Mol Biol 2021; 433:166676. [PMID: 33065112 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The centromere is an essential chromatin domain required for kinetochore recruitment and chromosome segregation in eukaryotes. To perform this role, centro-chromatin adopts a unique structure that provides access to kinetochore proteins and maintains stability under tension during mitosis. This is achieved by the presence of nucleosomes containing the H3 variant CENP-A, which also acts as the epigenetic mark defining the centromere. In this review, we discuss the role of CENP-A on the structure and dynamics of centromeric chromatin. We further discuss the impact of the CENP-A binding proteins CENP-C, CENP-N, and CENP-B on modulating centro-chromatin structure. Based on these findings we provide an overview of the higher order structure of the centromere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harsh Nagpal
- Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry of Macromolecules, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Beat Fierz
- Laboratory of Biophysical Chemistry of Macromolecules, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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11
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Kixmoeller K, Allu PK, Black BE. The centromere comes into focus: from CENP-A nucleosomes to kinetochore connections with the spindle. Open Biol 2020; 10:200051. [PMID: 32516549 PMCID: PMC7333888 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic chromosome segregation relies upon specific connections from DNA to the microtubule-based spindle that forms at cell division. The chromosomal locus that directs this process is the centromere, where a structure called the kinetochore forms upon entry into mitosis. Recent crystallography and single-particle electron microscopy have provided unprecedented high-resolution views of the molecular complexes involved in this process. The centromere is epigenetically specified by nucleosomes harbouring a histone H3 variant, CENP-A, and we review recent progress on how it differentiates centromeric chromatin from the rest of the chromosome, the biochemical pathway that mediates its assembly and how two non-histone components of the centromere specifically recognize CENP-A nucleosomes. The core centromeric nucleosome complex (CCNC) is required to recruit a 16-subunit complex termed the constitutive centromere associated network (CCAN), and we highlight recent structures reported of the budding yeast CCAN. Finally, the structures of multiple modular sub-complexes of the kinetochore have been solved at near-atomic resolution, providing insight into how connections are made to the CCAN on one end and to the spindle microtubules on the other. One can now build molecular models from the DNA through to the physical connections to microtubules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Kixmoeller
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Praveen Kumar Allu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ben E Black
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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12
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Medina‐Pritchard B, Lazou V, Zou J, Byron O, Abad MA, Rappsilber J, Heun P, Jeyaprakash AA. Structural basis for centromere maintenance by Drosophila CENP-A chaperone CAL1. EMBO J 2020; 39:e103234. [PMID: 32134144 PMCID: PMC7110144 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019103234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Centromeres are microtubule attachment sites on chromosomes defined by the enrichment of histone variant CENP-A-containing nucleosomes. To preserve centromere identity, CENP-A must be escorted to centromeres by a CENP-A-specific chaperone for deposition. Despite this essential requirement, many eukaryotes differ in the composition of players involved in centromere maintenance, highlighting the plasticity of this process. In humans, CENP-A recognition and centromere targeting are achieved by HJURP and the Mis18 complex, respectively. Using X-ray crystallography, we here show how Drosophila CAL1, an evolutionarily distinct CENP-A histone chaperone, binds both CENP-A and the centromere receptor CENP-C without the requirement for the Mis18 complex. While an N-terminal CAL1 fragment wraps around CENP-A/H4 through multiple physical contacts, a C-terminal CAL1 fragment directly binds a CENP-C cupin domain dimer. Although divergent at the primary structure level, CAL1 thus binds CENP-A/H4 using evolutionarily conserved and adaptive structural principles. The CAL1 binding site on CENP-C is strategically positioned near the cupin dimerisation interface, restricting binding to just one CAL1 molecule per CENP-C dimer. Overall, by demonstrating how CAL1 binds CENP-A/H4 and CENP-C, we provide key insights into the minimalistic principles underlying centromere maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vasiliki Lazou
- Wellcome Centre for Cell BiologyUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Juan Zou
- Wellcome Centre for Cell BiologyUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Olwyn Byron
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Maria A Abad
- Wellcome Centre for Cell BiologyUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Juri Rappsilber
- Wellcome Centre for Cell BiologyUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK,Institute of BiotechnologyTechnische Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Patrick Heun
- Wellcome Centre for Cell BiologyUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
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