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Zhang T, Au WC, Ohkuni K, Shrestha RL, Kaiser P, Basrai MA. Mck1-mediated proteolysis of CENP-A prevents mislocalization of CENP-A for chromosomal stability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genetics 2024; 228:iyae108. [PMID: 38984710 PMCID: PMC11373516 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyae108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Centromeric localization of evolutionarily conserved CENP-A (Cse4 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is essential for chromosomal stability. Mislocalization of overexpressed CENP-A to noncentromeric regions contributes to chromosomal instability in yeasts, flies, and humans. Overexpression and mislocalization of CENP-A observed in many cancers are associated with poor prognosis. Previous studies have shown that F-box proteins, Cdc4 and Met30 of the Skp, Cullin, F-box ubiquitin ligase cooperatively regulate proteolysis of Cse4 to prevent Cse4 mislocalization and chromosomal instability under normal physiological conditions. Mck1-mediated phosphorylation of Skp, Cullin, F-box-Cdc4 substrates such as Cdc6 and Rcn1 enhances the interaction of the substrates with Cdc4. Here, we report that Mck1 interacts with Cse4, and Mck1-mediated proteolysis of Cse4 prevents Cse4 mislocalization for chromosomal stability. Our results showed that mck1Δ strain overexpressing CSE4 (GAL-CSE4) exhibits lethality, defects in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of Cse4, mislocalization of Cse4, and reduced Cse4-Cdc4 interaction. Strain expressing GAL-cse4-3A with mutations in three potential Mck1 phosphorylation consensus sites (S10, S16, and T166) also exhibits growth defects, increased stability with mislocalization of Cse4-3A, chromosomal instability, and reduced interaction with Cdc4. Constitutive expression of histone H3 (Δ16H3) suppresses the chromosomal instability phenotype of GAL-cse4-3A strain, suggesting that the chromosomal instability phenotype is linked to Cse4-3A mislocalization. We conclude that Mck1 and its three potential phosphorylation sites on Cse4 promote Cse4-Cdc4 interaction and this contributes to ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of Cse4 preventing its mislocalization and chromosomal instability. These studies advance our understanding of pathways that regulate cellular levels of CENP-A to prevent mislocalization of CENP-A in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Zhang
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute. National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Wei-Chun Au
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute. National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kentaro Ohkuni
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute. National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Roshan L Shrestha
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute. National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Peter Kaiser
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Munira A Basrai
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute. National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Ohkuni K, Au WC, Kazi A, Villamil M, Kaiser P, Basrai M. Interaction of histone H4 with Cse4 facilitates conformational changes in Cse4 for its sumoylation and mislocalization. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:643-659. [PMID: 38038247 PMCID: PMC10810195 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1133] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mislocalization of overexpressed CENP-A (Cse4 in budding yeast, Cnp1 in fission yeast, CID in flies) contributes to chromosomal instability (CIN) in yeasts, flies, and human cells. Mislocalization of CENP-A is observed in many cancers and this correlates with poor prognosis. Structural mechanisms that contribute to mislocalization of CENP-A are poorly defined. Here, we show that interaction of histone H4 with Cse4 facilitates an in vivo conformational change in Cse4 promoting its mislocalization in budding yeast. We determined that Cse4 Y193A mutant exhibits reduced sumoylation, mislocalization, interaction with histone H4, and lethality in psh1Δ and cdc48-3 strains; all these phenotypes are suppressed by increased gene dosage of histone H4. We developed a new in vivo approach, antibody accessibility (AA) assay, to examine the conformation of Cse4. AA assay showed that wild-type Cse4 with histone H4 is in an 'open' state, while Cse4 Y193A predominantly exhibits a 'closed' state. Increased gene dosage of histone H4 contributes to a shift of Cse4 Y193A to an 'open' state with enhanced sumoylation and mislocalization. We provide molecular insights into how Cse4-H4 interaction changes the conformational state of Cse4 in vivo. These studies advance our understanding for mechanisms that promote mislocalization of CENP-A in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Ohkuni
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Wei-Chun Au
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Amira Z Kazi
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mark Villamil
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-1700, USA
| | - Peter Kaiser
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-1700, USA
| | - Munira A Basrai
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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3
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Ohkuni K, Gliford L, Au WC, Suva E, Kaiser P, Basrai M. Cdc48Ufd1/Npl4 segregase removes mislocalized centromeric histone H3 variant CENP-A from non-centromeric chromatin. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:3276-3291. [PMID: 35234920 PMCID: PMC8989521 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Restricting the localization of CENP-A (Cse4 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to centromeres prevents chromosomal instability (CIN). Mislocalization of overexpressed CENP-A to non-centromeric chromatin contributes to CIN in budding and fission yeasts, flies, and humans. Overexpression and mislocalization of CENP-A is observed in cancers and is associated with increased invasiveness. Mechanisms that remove mislocalized CENP-A and target it for degradation have not been defined. Here, we report that Cdc48 and its cofactors Ufd1 and Npl4 facilitate the removal of mislocalized Cse4 from non-centromeric chromatin. Defects in removal of mislocalized Cse4 contribute to lethality of overexpressed Cse4 in cdc48,ufd1 andnpl4 mutants. High levels of polyubiquitinated Cse4 and mislocalization of Cse4 are observed in cdc48-3, ufd1-2 and npl4-1mutants even under normal physiological conditions, thereby defining polyubiquitinated Cse4 as the substrate of the ubiquitin directed segregase Cdc48Ufd1/Npl4. Accordingly, Npl4, the ubiquitin binding receptor, associates with mislocalized Cse4, and this interaction is dependent on Psh1-mediated polyubiquitination of Cse4. In summary, we provide the first evidence for a mechanism that facilitates the removal of polyubiquitinated and mislocalized Cse4 from non-centromeric chromatin. Given the conservation of Cdc48Ufd1/Npl4 in humans, it is likely that defects in such pathways may contribute to CIN in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Ohkuni
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Loran Gliford
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Wei-Chun Au
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Evelyn Suva
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Peter Kaiser
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Munira A Basrai
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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4
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Mishra PK, Wood H, Stanton J, Au WC, Eisenstatt JR, Boeckmann L, Sclafani RA, Weinreich M, Bloom KS, Thorpe PH, Basrai MA. Cdc7-mediated phosphorylation of Cse4 regulates high-fidelity chromosome segregation in budding yeast. Mol Biol Cell 2021; 32:ar15. [PMID: 34432494 PMCID: PMC8693968 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e21-06-0323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Faithful chromosome segregation maintains chromosomal stability as errors in this process contribute to chromosomal instability (CIN), which has been observed in many diseases including cancer. Epigenetic regulation of kinetochore proteins such as Cse4 (CENP-A in humans) plays a critical role in high-fidelity chromosome segregation. Here we show that Cse4 is a substrate of evolutionarily conserved Cdc7 kinase, and that Cdc7-mediated phosphorylation of Cse4 prevents CIN. We determined that Cdc7 phosphorylates Cse4 in vitro and interacts with Cse4 in vivo in a cell cycle-dependent manner. Cdc7 is required for kinetochore integrity as reduced levels of CEN-associated Cse4, a faster exchange of Cse4 at the metaphase kinetochores, and defects in chromosome segregation, are observed in a cdc7-7 strain. Phosphorylation of Cse4 by Cdc7 is important for cell survival as constitutive association of a kinase-dead variant of Cdc7 (cdc7-kd) with Cse4 at the kinetochore leads to growth defects. Moreover, phospho-deficient mutations of Cse4 for consensus Cdc7 target sites contribute to CIN phenotype. In summary, our results have defined a role for Cdc7-mediated phosphorylation of Cse4 in faithful chromosome segregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant K. Mishra
- Genetics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Henry Wood
- Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - John Stanton
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Wei-Chun Au
- Genetics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Jessica R. Eisenstatt
- Genetics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Lars Boeckmann
- Genetics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | | | | | | | | | - Munira A. Basrai
- Genetics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
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5
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Dong Q, Yang J, Gao J, Li F. Recent insights into mechanisms preventing ectopic centromere formation. Open Biol 2021; 11:210189. [PMID: 34493071 PMCID: PMC8424319 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.210189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The centromere is a specialized chromosomal structure essential for chromosome segregation. Centromere dysfunction leads to chromosome segregation errors and genome instability. In most eukaryotes, centromere identity is specified epigenetically by CENP-A, a centromere-specific histone H3 variant. CENP-A replaces histone H3 in centromeres, and nucleates the assembly of the kinetochore complex. Mislocalization of CENP-A to non-centromeric regions causes ectopic assembly of CENP-A chromatin, which has a devastating impact on chromosome segregation and has been linked to a variety of human cancers. How non-centromeric regions are protected from CENP-A misincorporation in normal cells is largely unexplored. Here, we review the most recent advances on the mechanisms underlying the prevention of ectopic centromere formation, and discuss the implications in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianhua Dong
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003-6688, USA
| | - Jinpu Yang
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003-6688, USA
| | - Jinxin Gao
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003-6688, USA
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003-6688, USA
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6
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Shrestha RL, Rossi A, Wangsa D, Hogan AK, Zaldana KS, Suva E, Chung YJ, Sanders CL, Difilippantonio S, Karpova TS, Karim B, Foltz DR, Fachinetti D, Aplan PD, Ried T, Basrai MA. CENP-A overexpression promotes aneuploidy with karyotypic heterogeneity. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:211820. [PMID: 33620383 PMCID: PMC7905998 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202007195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a hallmark of many cancers. Restricting the localization of centromeric histone H3 variant CENP-A to centromeres prevents CIN. CENP-A overexpression (OE) and mislocalization have been observed in cancers and correlate with poor prognosis; however, the molecular consequences of CENP-A OE on CIN and aneuploidy have not been defined. Here, we show that CENP-A OE leads to its mislocalization and CIN with lagging chromosomes and micronuclei in pseudodiploid DLD1 cells and xenograft mouse model. CIN is due to reduced localization of proteins to the kinetochore, resulting in defects in kinetochore integrity and unstable kinetochore–microtubule attachments. CENP-A OE contributes to reduced expression of cell adhesion genes and higher invasion of DLD1 cells. We show that CENP-A OE contributes to aneuploidy with karyotypic heterogeneity in human cells and xenograft mouse model. In summary, our results provide a molecular link between CENP-A OE and aneuploidy, and suggest that karyotypic heterogeneity may contribute to the aggressive phenotype of CENP-A–overexpressing cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshan L Shrestha
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Austin Rossi
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Darawalee Wangsa
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Ann K Hogan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Kimberly S Zaldana
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Evelyn Suva
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Yang Jo Chung
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Chelsea L Sanders
- Laboratory Animal Sciences Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick, MD
| | - Simone Difilippantonio
- Laboratory Animal Sciences Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick, MD
| | - Tatiana S Karpova
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Baktiar Karim
- Laboratory Animal Sciences Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick, MD
| | - Daniel R Foltz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Daniele Fachinetti
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 144, Paris, France
| | - Peter D Aplan
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Thomas Ried
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Munira A Basrai
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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7
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Cell-cycle phospho-regulation of the kinetochore. Curr Genet 2021; 67:177-193. [PMID: 33221975 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-020-01127-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The kinetochore is a mega-dalton protein assembly that forms within centromeric regions of chromosomes and directs their segregation during cell division. Here we review cell cycle-mediated phosphorylation events at the kinetochore, with a focus on the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the insight gained from forced associations of kinases and phosphatases. The point centromeres found in the budding yeast S. cerevisiae are one of the simplest such structures found in eukaryotes. The S. cerevisiae kinetochore comprises a single nucleosome, containing a centromere-specific H3 variant Cse4CENP-A, bound to a set of kinetochore proteins that connect to a single microtubule. Despite the simplicity of the budding yeast kinetochore, the proteins are mostly homologous with their mammalian counterparts. In some cases, human proteins can complement their yeast orthologs. Like its mammalian equivalent, the regulation of the budding yeast kinetochore is complex: integrating signals from the cell cycle, checkpoints, error correction, and stress pathways. The regulatory signals from these diverse pathways are integrated at the kinetochore by post-translational modifications, notably phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, to control chromosome segregation. Here we highlight the complex interplay between the activity of the different cell-cycle kinases and phosphatases at the kinetochore, emphasizing how much more we have to understand this essential structure.
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Eisenstatt JR, Ohkuni K, Au WC, Preston O, Gliford L, Suva E, Costanzo M, Boone C, Basrai MA. Reduced gene dosage of histone H4 prevents CENP-A mislocalization and chromosomal instability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genetics 2021; 218:6159615. [PMID: 33751052 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mislocalization of the centromeric histone H3 variant (Cse4 in budding yeast, CID in flies, CENP-A in humans) to noncentromeric regions contributes to chromosomal instability (CIN) in yeast, fly, and human cells. Overexpression and mislocalization of CENP-A have been observed in cancers, however, the mechanisms that facilitate the mislocalization of overexpressed CENP-A have not been fully explored. Defects in proteolysis of overexpressed Cse4 (GALCSE4) lead to its mislocalization and synthetic dosage lethality (SDL) in mutants for E3 ubiquitin ligases (Psh1, Slx5, SCFMet30, and SCFCdc4), Doa1, Hir2, and Cdc7. In contrast, defects in sumoylation of overexpressed cse4K215/216/A/R prevent its mislocalization and do not cause SDL in a psh1Δ strain. Here, we used a genome-wide screen to identify factors that facilitate the mislocalization of overexpressed Cse4 by characterizing suppressors of the psh1Δ GALCSE4 SDL. Deletions of histone H4 alleles (HHF1 or HHF2), which were among the most prominent suppressors, also suppress slx5Δ, cdc4-1, doa1Δ, hir2Δ, and cdc7-4 GALCSE4 SDL. Reduced dosage of H4 leads to defects in sumoylation and reduced mislocalization of overexpressed Cse4, which contributes to suppression of CIN when Cse4 is overexpressed. We determined that the hhf1-20, cse4-102, and cse4-111 mutants, which are defective in the Cse4-H4 interaction, also exhibit reduced sumoylation of Cse4 and do not display psh1Δ GALCSE4 SDL. In summary, we have identified genes that contribute to the mislocalization of overexpressed Cse4 and defined a role for the gene dosage of H4 in facilitating Cse4 sumoylation and mislocalization to noncentromeric regions, leading to CIN when Cse4 is overexpressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Eisenstatt
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Kentaro Ohkuni
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Wei-Chun Au
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Olivia Preston
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Loran Gliford
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Evelyn Suva
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Michael Costanzo
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada.,Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Charles Boone
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada.,Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Munira A Basrai
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
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Arunkumar G, Melters DP. Centromeric Transcription: A Conserved Swiss-Army Knife. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E911. [PMID: 32784923 PMCID: PMC7463856 DOI: 10.3390/genes11080911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In most species, the centromere is comprised of repetitive DNA sequences, which rapidly evolve. Paradoxically, centromeres fulfill an essential function during mitosis, as they are the chromosomal sites wherein, through the kinetochore, the mitotic spindles bind. It is now generally accepted that centromeres are transcribed, and that such transcription is associated with a broad range of functions. More than a decade of work on this topic has shown that centromeric transcripts are found across the eukaryotic tree and associate with heterochromatin formation, chromatin structure, kinetochore structure, centromeric protein loading, and inner centromere signaling. In this review, we discuss the conservation of small and long non-coding centromeric RNAs, their associations with various centromeric functions, and their potential roles in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniël P. Melters
- Chromatin Structure and Epigenetic Mechanisms, Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
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