1
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Lim KK, Lam UTF, Li Y, Zeng YB, Yang H, Chen ES. Set2 regulates Ccp1 and Swc2 to ensure centromeric stability by retargeting CENP-A. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:4198-4214. [PMID: 38442274 PMCID: PMC11077061 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae084] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Precise positioning of the histone-H3 variant, CENP-A, ensures centromere stability and faithful chromosomal segregation. Mislocalization of CENP-A to extra-centromeric loci results in aneuploidy and compromised cell viability associated with formation of ectopic kinetochores. The mechanism that retargets mislocalized CENP-A back to the centromere is unclarified. We show here that the downregulation of the histone H3 lysine 36 (H3K36) methyltransferase Set2 can preserve centromere localization of a temperature-sensitive mutant cnp1-1 Schizosaccharomyces pombe CENP-A (SpCENP-A) protein and reverse aneuploidy by redirecting mislocalized SpCENP-A back to centromere from ribosomal DNA (rDNA) loci, which serves as a sink for the delocalized SpCENP-A. Downregulation of set2 augments Swc2 (SWR1 complex DNA-binding module) expression and releases histone chaperone Ccp1 from the centromeric reservoir. Swc2 and Ccp1 are directed to the rDNA locus to excavate the SpCENP-Acnp1-1, which is relocalized to the centromere in a manner dependent on canonical SpCENP-A loaders, including Mis16, Mis17 and Mis18, thereby conferring cell survival and safeguarding chromosome segregation fidelity. Chromosome missegregation is a severe genetic instability event that compromises cell viability. This mechanism thus promotes CENP-A presence at the centromere to maintain genomic stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Kiat Lim
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ulysses Tsz Fung Lam
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ying Li
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yi Bing Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Henry Yang
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Ee Sin Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- National University Health System, Singapore
- Integrative Sciences & Engineering Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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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] [Grants] [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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London N, Medina-Pritchard B, Spanos C, Rappsilber J, Jeyaprakash AA, Allshire RC. Direct recruitment of Mis18 to interphase spindle pole bodies promotes CENP-A chromatin assembly. Curr Biol 2023; 33:4187-4201.e6. [PMID: 37714149 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.063] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
CENP-A chromatin specifies mammalian centromere identity, and its chaperone HJURP replenishes CENP-A when recruited by the Mis18 complex (Mis18C) via M18BP1/KNL2 to CENP-C at kinetochores during interphase. However, the Mis18C recruitment mechanism remains unresolved in species lacking M18BP1, such as fission yeast. Fission yeast centromeres cluster at G2 spindle pole bodies (SPBs) when CENP-ACnp1 is replenished and where Mis18C also localizes. We show that SPBs play an unexpected role in concentrating Mis18C near centromeres through the recruitment of Mis18 by direct binding to the major SPB linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) component Sad1. Mis18C recruitment by Sad1 is important for CENP-ACnp1 chromatin establishment and acts in parallel with a CENP-C-mediated Mis18C recruitment pathway to maintain centromeric CENP-ACnp1 but operates independently of Sad1-mediated centromere clustering. SPBs therefore provide a non-chromosomal scaffold for both Mis18C recruitment and centromere clustering during G2. This centromere-independent Mis18-SPB recruitment provides a mechanism that governs de novo CENP-ACnp1 chromatin assembly by the proximity of appropriate sequences to SPBs and highlights how nuclear spatial organization influences centromere identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitobe London
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, Scotland, UK
| | - Bethan Medina-Pritchard
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, Scotland, UK
| | - Christos Spanos
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, Scotland, UK
| | - Juri Rappsilber
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, Scotland, UK; Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität, 13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - A Arockia Jeyaprakash
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, Scotland, UK; Gene Center and Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Robin C Allshire
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, Scotland, UK.
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4
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Sidhwani P, Straight AF. Epigenetic inheritance and boundary maintenance at human centromeres. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 82:102694. [PMID: 37657353 PMCID: PMC10530090 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102694] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Centromeres are chromosomal regions that provide the foundation for microtubule attachment during chromosome segregation. Centromeres are epigenetically defined by nucleosomes containing the histone H3 variant centromere protein A (CENP-A) and, in many organisms, are surrounded by transcriptionally repressed pericentromeric chromatin marked by trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9me3). Pericentromeric regions facilitate sister chromatid cohesion during mitosis, thereby supporting centromere function. Heterochromatin has a known propensity to spread into adjacent euchromatic domains unless it is properly bounded. Heterochromatin spreading into the centromere can disrupt kinetochore function, perturbing chromosome segregation and genome stability. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, tRNA genes provide barriers to heterochromatin spread at the centromere, the absence of which results in abnormal meiotic chromosome segregation. How heterochromatin-centromere boundaries are established in humans is not understood. We propose models for stable epigenetic inheritance of centromeric domains in humans and discuss advances that will enable the discovery of novel regulators of this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Sidhwani
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States. https://twitter.com/@pra_sidh
| | - Aaron F Straight
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States.
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5
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Popchock AR, Larson JD, Dubrulle J, Asbury CL, Biggins S. Direct observation of coordinated assembly of individual native centromeric nucleosomes. EMBO J 2023; 42:e114534. [PMID: 37469281 PMCID: PMC10476280 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023114534] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic chromosome segregation requires the kinetochore, a megadalton-sized machine that forms on specialized centromeric chromatin containing CENP-A, a histone H3 variant. CENP-A deposition requires a chaperone protein HJURP that targets it to the centromere, but it has remained unclear whether HJURP has additional functions beyond CENP-A targeting and why high AT DNA content, which disfavors nucleosome assembly, is widely conserved at centromeres. To overcome the difficulties of studying nucleosome formation in vivo, we developed a microscopy assay that enables direct observation of de novo centromeric nucleosome recruitment and maintenance with single molecule resolution. Using this assay, we discover that CENP-A can arrive at centromeres without its dedicated centromere-specific chaperone HJURP, but stable incorporation depends on HJURP and additional DNA-binding proteins of the inner kinetochore. We also show that homopolymer AT runs in the yeast centromeres are essential for efficient CENP-A deposition. Together, our findings reveal requirements for stable nucleosome formation and provide a foundation for further studies of the assembly and dynamics of native kinetochore complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R Popchock
- Basic Sciences Division, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteFred Hutchinson Cancer CenterSeattleWAUSA
| | - Joshua D Larson
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | | | - Charles L Asbury
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | - Sue Biggins
- Basic Sciences Division, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteFred Hutchinson Cancer CenterSeattleWAUSA
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6
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Popchock AR, Larson JD, Dubrulle J, Asbury CL, Biggins S. Direct observation of coordinated assembly of individual native centromeric nucleosomes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.20.524981. [PMID: 36711558 PMCID: PMC9882320 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.20.524981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic chromosome segregation requires the kinetochore, a megadalton-sized machine that forms on specialized centromeric chromatin containing CENP-A, a histone H3 variant. CENP-A deposition requires a chaperone protein HJURP that targets it to the centromere, but it has remained unclear whether HJURP has additional functions beyond CENP-A targeting and why high AT DNA content, which disfavors nucleosome assembly, is widely conserved at centromeres. To overcome the difficulties of studying nucleosome formation in vivo, we developed a microscopy assay that enables direct observation of de novo centromeric nucleosome recruitment and maintenance with single molecule resolution. Using this assay, we discover that CENP-A can arrive at centromeres without its dedicated centromere-specific chaperone HJURP, but stable incorporation depends on HJURP and additional DNA-binding proteins of the inner kinetochore. We also show that homopolymer AT runs in the yeast centromeres are essential for efficient CENP-A deposition. Together, our findings reveal requirements for stable nucleosome formation and provide a foundation for further studies of the assembly and dynamics of native kinetochore complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R. Popchock
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Joshua D. Larson
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Julien Dubrulle
- Shared Resources, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Charles L. Asbury
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sue Biggins
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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7
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Naughton C, Huidobro C, Catacchio CR, Buckle A, Grimes GR, Nozawa RS, Purgato S, Rocchi M, Gilbert N. Human centromere repositioning activates transcription and opens chromatin fibre structure. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5609. [PMID: 36153345 PMCID: PMC9509383 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33426-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractHuman centromeres appear as constrictions on mitotic chromosomes and form a platform for kinetochore assembly in mitosis. Biophysical experiments led to a suggestion that repetitive DNA at centromeric regions form a compact scaffold necessary for function, but this was revised when neocentromeres were discovered on non-repetitive DNA. To test whether centromeres have a special chromatin structure we have analysed the architecture of a neocentromere. Centromere repositioning is accompanied by RNA polymerase II recruitment and active transcription to form a decompacted, negatively supercoiled domain enriched in ‘open’ chromatin fibres. In contrast, centromerisation causes a spreading of repressive epigenetic marks to surrounding regions, delimited by H3K27me3 polycomb boundaries and divergent genes. This flanking domain is transcriptionally silent and partially remodelled to form ‘compact’ chromatin, similar to satellite-containing DNA sequences, and exhibits genomic instability. We suggest transcription disrupts chromatin to provide a foundation for kinetochore formation whilst compact pericentromeric heterochromatin generates mechanical rigidity.
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8
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GRANT Motif Regulates CENP-A Incorporation and Restricts RNA Polymerase II Accessibility at Centromere. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13101697. [PMID: 36292582 PMCID: PMC9602348 DOI: 10.3390/genes13101697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise chromosome segregation is essential for maintaining genomic stability, and its proper execution centers on the centromere, a chromosomal locus that mounts the kinetochore complex to mediate attachment of chromosomes to the spindle microtubules. The location of the centromere is epigenetically determined by a centromere-specific histone H3 variant, CENP-A. Many human cancers exhibit overexpression of CENP-A, which correlates with occurrence of aneuploidy in these malignancies. Centromeric targeting of CENP-A depends on its histone fold, but recent studies showed that the N-terminal tail domain (NTD) also plays essential roles. Here, we investigated implications of NTD in conferring aneuploidy formation when CENP-A is overexpressed in fission yeast. A series of mutant genes progressively lacking one amino acid of the NTD have been constructed for overexpression in wild-type cells using the intermediate strength nmt41 promoter. Constructs hosting disrupted GRANT (Genomic stability-Regulating site within CENP-A N-Terminus) motif in NTD results in growth retardation, aneuploidy, increased localization to the centromere, upregulated RNA polymerase II accessibility and transcriptional derepression of the repressive centromeric chromatin, suggesting that GRANT residues fine-tune centromeric CENP-A incorporation and restrict RNA polymerase II accessibility. This work highlighted the importance of CENP-A NTD, particularly the GRANT motif, in aneuploidy formation of overexpressed CENP-A in fission yeast.
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9
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Yaseen I, White SA, Torres-Garcia S, Spanos C, Lafos M, Gaberdiel E, Yeboah R, El Karoui M, Rappsilber J, Pidoux AL, Allshire RC. Proteasome-dependent truncation of the negative heterochromatin regulator Epe1 mediates antifungal resistance. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2022; 29:745-758. [PMID: 35879419 PMCID: PMC7613290 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-022-00801-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Epe1 histone demethylase restricts H3K9-methylation-dependent heterochromatin, preventing it from spreading over, and silencing, gene-containing regions in fission yeast. External stress induces an adaptive response allowing heterochromatin island formation that confers resistance on surviving wild-type lineages. Here we investigate the mechanism by which Epe1 is regulated in response to stress. Exposure to caffeine or antifungals results in Epe1 ubiquitylation and proteasome-dependent removal of the N-terminal 150 residues from Epe1, generating truncated Epe1 (tEpe1) which accumulates in the cytoplasm. Constitutive tEpe1 expression increases H3K9 methylation over several chromosomal regions, reducing expression of underlying genes and enhancing resistance. Reciprocally, constitutive non-cleavable Epe1 expression decreases resistance. tEpe1-mediated resistance requires a functional JmjC demethylase domain. Moreover, caffeine-induced Epe1-to-tEpe1 cleavage is dependent on an intact cell integrity MAP kinase stress signaling pathway, mutations in which alter resistance. Thus, environmental changes elicit a mechanism that curtails the function of this key epigenetic modifier, allowing heterochromatin to reprogram gene expression, thereby bestowing resistance to some cells within a population. H3K9me-heterochromatin components are conserved in human and crop-plant fungal pathogens for which a limited number of antifungals exist. Our findings reveal how transient heterochromatin-dependent antifungal resistant epimutations develop and thus inform on how they might be countered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imtiyaz Yaseen
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, India
| | - Sharon A White
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sito Torres-Garcia
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Christos Spanos
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marcel Lafos
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Elisabeth Gaberdiel
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rebecca Yeboah
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Meriem El Karoui
- Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- SynthSys, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Juri Rappsilber
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alison L Pidoux
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Robin C Allshire
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- SynthSys, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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10
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Wu W, McHugh T, Kelly DA, Pidoux AL, Allshire RC. Establishment of centromere identity is dependent on nuclear spatial organization. Curr Biol 2022; 32:3121-3136.e6. [PMID: 35830853 PMCID: PMC9616734 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.06.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The establishment of centromere-specific CENP-A chromatin is influenced by epigenetic and genetic processes. Central domain sequences from fission yeast centromeres are preferred substrates for CENP-ACnp1 incorporation, but their use is context dependent, requiring adjacent heterochromatin. CENP-ACnp1 overexpression bypasses heterochromatin dependency, suggesting that heterochromatin ensures exposure to conditions or locations permissive for CENP-ACnp1 assembly. Centromeres cluster around spindle-pole bodies (SPBs). We show that heterochromatin-bearing minichromosomes localize close to SPBs, consistent with this location promoting CENP-ACnp1 incorporation. We demonstrate that heterochromatin-independent de novo CENP-ACnp1 chromatin assembly occurs when central domain DNA is placed near, but not far from, endogenous centromeres or neocentromeres. Moreover, direct tethering of central domain DNA at SPBs permits CENP-ACnp1 assembly, suggesting that the nuclear compartment surrounding SPBs is permissive for CENP-ACnp1 incorporation because target sequences are exposed to high levels of CENP-ACnp1 and associated assembly factors. Thus, nuclear spatial organization is a key epigenetic factor that influences centromere identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weifang Wu
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, Scotland, UK
| | - Toni McHugh
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, Scotland, UK
| | - David A Kelly
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, Scotland, UK
| | - Alison L Pidoux
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, Scotland, UK
| | - Robin C Allshire
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, Scotland, UK.
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11
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Sundararajan K, Straight AF. Centromere Identity and the Regulation of Chromosome Segregation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:914249. [PMID: 35721504 PMCID: PMC9203049 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.914249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotes segregate their chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis by attaching chromosomes to the microtubules of the spindle so that they can be distributed into daughter cells. The complexity of centromeres ranges from the point centromeres of yeast that attach to a single microtubule to the more complex regional centromeres found in many metazoans or holocentric centromeres of some nematodes, arthropods and plants, that bind to dozens of microtubules per kinetochore. In vertebrates, the centromere is defined by a centromere specific histone variant termed Centromere Protein A (CENP-A) that replaces histone H3 in a subset of centromeric nucleosomes. These CENP-A nucleosomes are distributed on long stretches of highly repetitive DNA and interspersed with histone H3 containing nucleosomes. The mechanisms by which cells control the number and position of CENP-A nucleosomes is unknown but likely important for the organization of centromeric chromatin in mitosis so that the kinetochore is properly oriented for microtubule capture. CENP-A chromatin is epigenetically determined thus cells must correct errors in CENP-A organization to prevent centromere dysfunction and chromosome loss. Recent improvements in sequencing complex centromeres have paved the way for defining the organization of CENP-A nucleosomes in centromeres. Here we discuss the importance and challenges in understanding CENP-A organization and highlight new discoveries and advances enabled by recent improvements in the human genome assembly.
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12
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The ins and outs of CENP-A: Chromatin dynamics of the centromere-specific histone. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 135:24-34. [PMID: 35422390 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Centromeres are highly specialised chromosome domains defined by the presence of an epigenetic mark, the specific histone H3 variant called CENP-A (centromere protein A). They constitute the genomic regions on which kinetochores form and when defective cause segregation defects that can lead to aneuploidy and cancer. Here, we discuss how CENP-A is established and maintained to propagate centromere identity while subjected to dynamic chromatin remodelling during essential cellular processes like DNA repair, replication, and transcription. We highlight parallels and identify conserved mechanisms between different model organism with a particular focus on 1) the establishment of CENP-A at centromeres, 2) CENP-A maintenance during transcription and replication, and 3) the mechanisms that help preventing CENP-A localization at non-centromeric sites. We then give examples of how timely loading of new CENP-A to the centromere, maintenance of old CENP-A during S-phase and transcription, and removal of CENP-A at non-centromeric sites are coordinated and controlled by an intricate network of factors whose identity is slowly being unravelled.
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13
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Barbosa AC, Xu Z, Karari K, Williams W, Hauf S, Brown WRA. Mutation and selection explain why many eukaryotic centromeric DNA sequences are often A + T rich. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 50:579-596. [PMID: 34928384 PMCID: PMC8754631 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
We have used chromosome engineering to replace native centromeric DNA with different test sequences at native centromeres in two different strains of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe and have discovered that A + T rich DNA, whether synthetic or of bacterial origin, will function as a centromere in this species. Using genome size as a surrogate for the inverse of effective population size (Ne) we also show that the relative A + T content of centromeric DNA scales with Ne across 43 animal, fungal and yeast (Opisthokonta) species. This suggests that in most of these species the A + T content of the centromeric DNA is determined by a balance between selection and mutation. Combining the experimental results and the evolutionary analyses allows us to conclude that A + T rich DNA of almost any sequence will function as a centromere in most Opisthokonta species. The fact that many G/C to A/T substitutions are unlikely to be selected against may contribute to the rapid evolution of centromeric DNA. We also show that a neo-centromere sequence is not simply a weak version of native centromeric DNA and suggest that neo-centromeres require factors either for their propagation or establishment in addition to those required by native centromeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne C Barbosa
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Zhengyao Xu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Kazhal Karari
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Wendi Williams
- Virginia Tech, Department of Biological Sciences, Fralin Life Sciences Institute, 1015 Life Science Circle, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Silke Hauf
- Virginia Tech, Department of Biological Sciences, Fralin Life Sciences Institute, 1015 Life Science Circle, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - William R A Brown
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, NG7 2UH, UK
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14
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Abstract
The centromere performs a universally conserved function, to accurately partition genetic information upon cell division. Yet, centromeres are among the most rapidly evolving regions of the genome and are bound by a varying assortment of centromere-binding factors that are themselves highly divergent at the protein-sequence level. A common thread in most species is the dependence on the centromere-specific histone variant CENP-A for the specification of the centromere site. However, CENP-A is not universally required in all species or cell types, making the identification of a general mechanism for centromere specification challenging. In this review, we examine our current understanding of the mechanisms of centromere specification in CENP-A-dependent and independent systems, focusing primarily on recent work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara G Mellone
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, and Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
| | - Daniele Fachinetti
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR 144, 26 rue d'Ulm, F-75005 Paris, France.
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15
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Prosée RF, Wenda JM, Özdemir I, Gabus C, Delaney K, Schwager F, Gotta M, Steiner FA. Transgenerational inheritance of centromere identity requires the CENP-A N-terminal tail in the C. elegans maternal germ line. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3000968. [PMID: 34228701 PMCID: PMC8259991 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Centromere protein A (CENP-A) is a histone H3 variant that defines centromeric chromatin and is essential for centromere function. In most eukaryotes, CENP-A-containing chromatin is epigenetically maintained, and centromere identity is inherited from one cell cycle to the next. In the germ line of the holocentric nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, this inheritance cycle is disrupted. CENP-A is removed at the mitosis-to-meiosis transition and is reestablished on chromatin during diplotene of meiosis I. Here, we show that the N-terminal tail of CENP-A is required for the de novo establishment of centromeres, but then its presence becomes dispensable for centromere maintenance during development. Worms homozygous for a CENP-A tail deletion maintain functional centromeres during development but give rise to inviable offspring because they fail to reestablish centromeres in the maternal germ line. We identify the N-terminal tail of CENP-A as a critical domain for the interaction with the conserved kinetochore protein KNL-2 and argue that this interaction plays an important role in setting centromere identity in the germ line. We conclude that centromere establishment and maintenance are functionally distinct in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinier F. Prosée
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, Section of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joanna M. Wenda
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, Section of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Isa Özdemir
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, Section of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Gabus
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, Section of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kamila Delaney
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, Section of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Francoise Schwager
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Monica Gotta
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Florian A. Steiner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, Section of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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16
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Sreekumar L, Kumari K, Guin K, Bakshi A, Varshney N, Thimmappa BC, Narlikar L, Padinhateeri R, Siddharthan R, Sanyal K. Orc4 spatiotemporally stabilizes centromeric chromatin. Genome Res 2021; 31:607-621. [PMID: 33514624 PMCID: PMC8015856 DOI: 10.1101/gr.265900.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The establishment of centromeric chromatin and its propagation by the centromere-specific histone CENPA is mediated by epigenetic mechanisms in most eukaryotes. DNA replication origins, origin binding proteins, and replication timing of centromere DNA are important determinants of centromere function. The epigenetically regulated regional centromeres in the budding yeast Candida albicans have unique DNA sequences that replicate earliest in every chromosome and are clustered throughout the cell cycle. In this study, the genome-wide occupancy of the replication initiation protein Orc4 reveals its abundance at all centromeres in C. albicans Orc4 is associated with four different DNA sequence motifs, one of which coincides with tRNA genes (tDNA) that replicate early and cluster together in space. Hi-C combined with genome-wide replication timing analyses identify that early replicating Orc4-bound regions interact with themselves stronger than with late replicating Orc4-bound regions. We simulate a polymer model of chromosomes of C. albicans and propose that the early replicating and highly enriched Orc4-bound sites preferentially localize around the clustered kinetochores. We also observe that Orc4 is constitutively localized to centromeres, and both Orc4 and the helicase Mcm2 are essential for cell viability and CENPA stability in C. albicans Finally, we show that new molecules of CENPA are recruited to centromeres during late anaphase/telophase, which coincides with the stage at which the CENPA-specific chaperone Scm3 localizes to the kinetochore. We propose that the spatiotemporal localization of Orc4 within the nucleus, in collaboration with Mcm2 and Scm3, maintains centromeric chromatin stability and CENPA recruitment in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Sreekumar
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore 560064, India
| | - Kiran Kumari
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
- IITB-Monash Research Academy, Mumbai 400076, India
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | - Krishnendu Guin
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore 560064, India
| | - Asif Bakshi
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore 560064, India
| | - Neha Varshney
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore 560064, India
| | - Bhagya C Thimmappa
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore 560064, India
| | - Leelavati Narlikar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411008, India
| | - Ranjith Padinhateeri
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Rahul Siddharthan
- The Institute of Mathematical Sciences/HBNI, Taramani, Chennai 600113, India
| | - Kaustuv Sanyal
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore 560064, India
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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17
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Hao X, Qiu Y, Cao L, Yang X, Zhou D, Liu J, Shi Z, Zhao S, Zhang J. Over-Expression of Centromere Protein U Participates in the Malignant Neoplastic Progression of Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:615427. [PMID: 33833984 PMCID: PMC8021899 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.615427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression of Centromere Protein U (CENP-U) is closely related to tumor malignancy. Till now, the role of CENP-U in the malignant progression of breast cancer remains unclear. In this study, we found that CENP-U protein was highly expressed in the primary invasive breast cancer tissues compared to the paired adjacent histologically normal tissues and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) tissues. After CENP-U was knocked down, the proliferation and colony-forming abilities of breast cancer cells were significantly suppressed, whereas the portion of apoptotic cells was increased. Meanwhile, the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway was significantly inhibited. In vivo studies showed that, the inhibition of CENP-U repressed the tumor growth in orthotopic breast cancer models. Therefore, our study demonstrated that the CENP-U might act as an oncogene and promote breast cancer progression via activation of the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway, which suggests a promising direction for targeting therapy in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomeng Hao
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Yufan Qiu
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Lixia Cao
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaonan Yang
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Dongdong Zhou
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingjing Liu
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhendong Shi
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Shaorong Zhao
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
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18
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Cao L, Zhao S, Yang Q, Shi Z, Liu J, Pan T, Zhou D, Zhang J. Chidamide Combined With Doxorubicin Induced p53-Driven Cell Cycle Arrest and Cell Apoptosis Reverse Multidrug Resistance of Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:614458. [PMID: 33738256 PMCID: PMC7962870 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.614458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotype is usually accompanied by an abnormal expression of histone deacetylase (HDAC). Given that HDAC is vital in chromatin remodeling and epigenetics, inhibiting the role of HDAC has become an important approach for tumor treatment. However, the effect of HDAC inhibitors on MDR breast cancer has not been elucidated. This study aim to demonstrate the potential of chidamide (CHI) combined with the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (DOX) to overcome chemotherapeutic resistance of breast cancer in vitro and in vivo, laying the experimental foundation for the next clinical application. The results showed that, CHI combined with DOX showed significant cytotoxicity to MDR breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo compared with the CHI monotherapy. The cell cycle distribution results showed that CHI caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and inhibited cell growth regardless of the addition of DOX. At the same time, annexin V staining and TUNEL staining results showed that CHI enhanced the number of cell apoptosis in drug-resistant cells. The western blot analysis found that p53 was activated in the CHI-treated group and combined treatment group, and then the activated p53 up-regulated p21, apoptosis regulator recombinant protein (Puma), and pro-apoptotic protein Bax, down-regulated the apoptotic proteins Bcl-xL and Bcl-2, and activated the caspase cascade to induce apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jin Zhang
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
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19
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Mitra S, Srinivasan B, Jansen LE. Stable inheritance of CENP-A chromatin: Inner strength versus dynamic control. J Cell Biol 2020; 219:e202005099. [PMID: 32931551 PMCID: PMC7659725 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202005099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosome segregation during cell division is driven by mitotic spindle attachment to the centromere region on each chromosome. Centromeres form a protein scaffold defined by chromatin featuring CENP-A, a conserved histone H3 variant, in a manner largely independent of local DNA cis elements. CENP-A nucleosomes fulfill two essential criteria to epigenetically identify the centromere. They undergo self-templated duplication to reestablish centromeric chromatin following DNA replication. More importantly, CENP-A incorporated into centromeric chromatin is stably transmitted through consecutive cell division cycles. CENP-A nucleosomes have unique structural properties and binding partners that potentially explain their long lifetime in vivo. However, rather than a static building block, centromeric chromatin is dynamically regulated throughout the cell cycle, indicating that CENP-A stability is also controlled by external factors. We discuss recent insights and identify the outstanding questions on how dynamic control of the long-term stability of CENP-A ensures epigenetic centromere inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreyoshi Mitra
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Bharath Srinivasan
- Mechanistic Biology and Profiling, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
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20
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Hoffmann S, Izquierdo HM, Gamba R, Chardon F, Dumont M, Keizer V, Hervé S, McNulty SM, Sullivan BA, Manel N, Fachinetti D. A genetic memory initiates the epigenetic loop necessary to preserve centromere position. EMBO J 2020; 39:e105505. [PMID: 32945564 PMCID: PMC7560200 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020105505] [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: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Centromeres are built on repetitive DNA sequences (CenDNA) and a specific chromatin enriched with the histone H3 variant CENP‐A, the epigenetic mark that identifies centromere position. Here, we interrogate the importance of CenDNA in centromere specification by developing a system to rapidly remove and reactivate CENP‐A (CENP‐AOFF/ON). Using this system, we define the temporal cascade of events necessary to maintain centromere position. We unveil that CENP‐B bound to CenDNA provides memory for maintenance on human centromeres by promoting de novo CENP‐A deposition. Indeed, lack of CENP‐B favors neocentromere formation under selective pressure. Occasionally, CENP‐B triggers centromere re‐activation initiated by CENP‐C, but not CENP‐A, recruitment at both ectopic and native centromeres. This is then sufficient to initiate the CENP‐A‐based epigenetic loop. Finally, we identify a population of CENP‐A‐negative, CENP‐B/C‐positive resting CD4+ T cells capable to re‐express and reassembles CENP‐A upon cell cycle entry, demonstrating the physiological importance of the genetic memory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Riccardo Gamba
- Institut Curie, CNRS, UMR 144, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Florian Chardon
- Institut Curie, CNRS, UMR 144, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Marie Dumont
- Institut Curie, CNRS, UMR 144, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Veer Keizer
- Institut Curie, CNRS, UMR 144, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Solène Hervé
- Institut Curie, CNRS, UMR 144, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Shannon M McNulty
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Beth A Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nicolas Manel
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U932, Paris, France
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21
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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: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [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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22
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Ólafsson G, Thorpe PH. Polo kinase recruitment via the constitutive centromere-associated network at the kinetochore elevates centromeric RNA. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008990. [PMID: 32810142 PMCID: PMC7455000 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The kinetochore, a multi-protein complex assembled on centromeres, is essential to segregate chromosomes during cell division. Deficiencies in kinetochore function can lead to chromosomal instability and aneuploidy-a hallmark of cancer cells. Kinetochore function is controlled by recruitment of regulatory proteins, many of which have been documented, however their function often remains uncharacterized and many are yet to be identified. To identify candidates of kinetochore regulation we used a proteome-wide protein association strategy in budding yeast and detected many proteins that are involved in post-translational modifications such as kinases, phosphatases and histone modifiers. We focused on the Polo-like kinase, Cdc5, and interrogated which cellular components were sensitive to constitutive Cdc5 localization. The kinetochore is particularly sensitive to constitutive Cdc5 kinase activity. Targeting Cdc5 to different kinetochore subcomplexes produced diverse phenotypes, consistent with multiple distinct functions at the kinetochore. We show that targeting Cdc5 to the inner kinetochore, the constitutive centromere-associated network (CCAN), increases the levels of centromeric RNA via an SPT4 dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guðjón Ólafsson
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter H. Thorpe
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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23
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Mahlke MA, Nechemia-Arbely Y. Guarding the Genome: CENP-A-Chromatin in Health and Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11070810. [PMID: 32708729 PMCID: PMC7397030 DOI: 10.3390/genes11070810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Faithful chromosome segregation is essential for the maintenance of genomic integrity and requires functional centromeres. Centromeres are epigenetically defined by the histone H3 variant, centromere protein A (CENP-A). Here we highlight current knowledge regarding CENP-A-containing chromatin structure, specification of centromere identity, regulation of CENP-A deposition and possible contribution to cancer formation and/or progression. CENP-A overexpression is common among many cancers and predicts poor prognosis. Overexpression of CENP-A increases rates of CENP-A deposition ectopically at sites of high histone turnover, occluding CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) binding. Ectopic CENP-A deposition leads to mitotic defects, centromere dysfunction and chromosomal instability (CIN), a hallmark of cancer. CENP-A overexpression is often accompanied by overexpression of its chaperone Holliday Junction Recognition Protein (HJURP), leading to epigenetic addiction in which increased levels of HJURP and CENP-A become necessary to support rapidly dividing p53 deficient cancer cells. Alterations in CENP-A posttranslational modifications are also linked to chromosome segregation errors and CIN. Collectively, CENP-A is pivotal to genomic stability through centromere maintenance, perturbation of which can lead to tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A. Mahlke
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Yael Nechemia-Arbely
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-412-623-3228; Fax: +1-412-623-7828
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24
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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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25
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Bobkov GOM, Huang A, van den Berg SJW, Mitra S, Anselm E, Lazou V, Schunter S, Feederle R, Imhof A, Lusser A, Jansen LET, Heun P. Spt6 is a maintenance factor for centromeric CENP-A. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2919. [PMID: 32522980 PMCID: PMC7287101 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16695-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Replication and transcription of genomic DNA requires partial disassembly of nucleosomes to allow progression of polymerases. This presents both an opportunity to remodel the underlying chromatin and a danger of losing epigenetic information. Centromeric transcription is required for stable incorporation of the centromere-specific histone dCENP-A in M/G1 phase, which depends on the eviction of previously deposited H3/H3.3-placeholder nucleosomes. Here we demonstrate that the histone chaperone and transcription elongation factor Spt6 spatially and temporarily coincides with centromeric transcription and prevents the loss of old CENP-A nucleosomes in both Drosophila and human cells. Spt6 binds directly to dCENP-A and dCENP-A mutants carrying phosphomimetic residues alleviate this association. Retention of phosphomimetic dCENP-A mutants is reduced relative to wildtype, while non-phosphorylatable dCENP-A retention is increased and accumulates at the centromere. We conclude that Spt6 acts as a conserved CENP-A maintenance factor that ensures long-term stability of epigenetic centromere identity during transcription-mediated chromatin remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg O M Bobkov
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF, UK
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anming Huang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sebastiaan J W van den Berg
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Sreyoshi Mitra
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Eduard Anselm
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Vasiliki Lazou
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Sarah Schunter
- Molecular Biology Division, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Regina Feederle
- Monoclonal Antibody Core Facility, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Axel Imhof
- BioMedical Center and Center for Integrated Protein Sciences Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Großhaderner Straße 9, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Alexandra Lusser
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lars E T Jansen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Patrick Heun
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF, UK.
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26
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Demirdizen E, Spiller-Becker M, Förtsch A, Wilhelm A, Corless S, Bade D, Bergner A, Hessling B, Erhardt S. Localization of Drosophila CENP-A to non-centromeric sites depends on the NuRD complex. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 47:11589-11608. [PMID: 31713634 PMCID: PMC7145711 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Centromere function requires the presence of the histone H3 variant CENP-A in most eukaryotes. The precise localization and protein amount of CENP-A are crucial for correct chromosome segregation, and misregulation can lead to aneuploidy. To characterize the loading of CENP-A to non-centromeric chromatin, we utilized different truncation- and localization-deficient CENP-A mutant constructs in Drosophila melanogaster cultured cells, and show that the N-terminus of Drosophila melanogaster CENP-A is required for nuclear localization and protein stability, and that CENP-A associated proteins, rather than CENP-A itself, determine its localization. Co-expression of mutant CENP-A with its loading factor CAL1 leads to exclusive centromere loading of CENP-A whereas co-expression with the histone-binding protein RbAp48 leads to exclusive non-centromeric CENP-A incorporation. Mass spectrometry analysis of non-centromeric CENP-A interacting partners identified the RbAp48-containing NuRD chromatin remodeling complex. Further analysis confirmed that NuRD is required for ectopic CENP-A incorporation, and RbAp48 and MTA1-like subunits of NuRD together with the N-terminal tail of CENP-A mediate the interaction. In summary, our data show that Drosophila CENP-A has no intrinsic specificity for centromeric chromatin and utilizes separate loading mechanisms for its incorporation into centromeric and ectopic sites. This suggests that the specific association and availability of CENP-A interacting factors are the major determinants of CENP-A loading specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Engin Demirdizen
- ZMBH, DKFZ-ZMBH-Alliance and CellNetworks - Cluster of Excellence, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 282, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Spiller-Becker
- ZMBH, DKFZ-ZMBH-Alliance and CellNetworks - Cluster of Excellence, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 282, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Arion Förtsch
- ZMBH, DKFZ-ZMBH-Alliance and CellNetworks - Cluster of Excellence, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 282, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Wilhelm
- ZMBH, DKFZ-ZMBH-Alliance and CellNetworks - Cluster of Excellence, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 282, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Samuel Corless
- ZMBH, DKFZ-ZMBH-Alliance and CellNetworks - Cluster of Excellence, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 282, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Debora Bade
- ZMBH, DKFZ-ZMBH-Alliance and CellNetworks - Cluster of Excellence, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 282, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrea Bergner
- ZMBH, DKFZ-ZMBH-Alliance and CellNetworks - Cluster of Excellence, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 282, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bernd Hessling
- ZMBH, DKFZ-ZMBH-Alliance and CellNetworks - Cluster of Excellence, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 282, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sylvia Erhardt
- ZMBH, DKFZ-ZMBH-Alliance and CellNetworks - Cluster of Excellence, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 282, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +49 6221 54 6898; Fax: +49 6221 54 5892;
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27
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Murillo-Pineda M, Jansen LET. Genetics, epigenetics and back again: Lessons learned from neocentromeres. Exp Cell Res 2020; 389:111909. [PMID: 32068000 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.111909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The duplication and segregation of the genome during cell division is crucial to maintain cell identity, development of organisms and tissue maintenance. Centromeres are at the basis of accurate chromosome segregation as they define the site of assembly of the kinetochore, a large complex of proteins that attaches to spindle microtubules driving chromosome movement during cell division. Here we summarize nearly 40 years of research focussed on centromere specification and the role of local cis elements in creating a stable centromere. Initial discoveries in budding yeast in the 1980s opened up the field and revealed essential DNA sequence elements that define centromere position and function. Further work in humans discovered a centromeric DNA sequence-specific binding protein and centromeric α-satellite DNA was found to have the capacity to seed centromeres de novo. Despite the early indication of genetic elements as drivers of centromere specification, the discovery in the nineties of neocentromeres that form on unrelated DNA sequences, shifted the focus to epigenetic mechanisms. While specific sequence elements appeared non-essential, the histone H3 variant CENP-A was identified as a crucial component in centromere specification. Neocentromeres, occurring naturally or induced experimentally, have become an insightful tool to understand the mechanisms for centromere specification and will be the focus of this review. They have helped to define the strong epigenetic chromatin-based component underlying centromere inheritance but also provide new opportunities to understand the enigmatic, yet crucial role that DNA sequence elements play in centromere function and inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lars E T Jansen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, OX1 3QU, United Kingdom.
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28
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Singh PP, Shukla M, White SA, Lafos M, Tong P, Auchynnikava T, Spanos C, Rappsilber J, Pidoux AL, Allshire RC. Hap2-Ino80-facilitated transcription promotes de novo establishment of CENP-A chromatin. Genes Dev 2020; 34:226-238. [PMID: 31919190 PMCID: PMC7000912 DOI: 10.1101/gad.332536.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Centromeres are maintained epigenetically by the presence of CENP-A, an evolutionarily conserved histone H3 variant, which directs kinetochore assembly and hence centromere function. To identify factors that promote assembly of CENP-A chromatin, we affinity-selected solubilized fission yeast CENP-ACnp1 chromatin. All subunits of the Ino80 complex were enriched, including the auxiliary subunit Hap2. Chromatin association of Hap2 is Ies4-dependent. In addition to a role in maintenance of CENP-ACnp1 chromatin integrity at endogenous centromeres, Hap2 is required for de novo assembly of CENP-ACnp1 chromatin on naïve centromere DNA and promotes H3 turnover on centromere regions and other loci prone to CENP-ACnp1 deposition. Prior to CENP-ACnp1 chromatin assembly, Hap2 facilitates transcription from centromere DNA. These analyses suggest that Hap2-Ino80 destabilizes H3 nucleosomes on centromere DNA through transcription-coupled histone H3 turnover, driving the replacement of resident H3 nucleosomes with CENP-ACnp1 nucleosomes. These inherent properties define centromere DNA by directing a program that mediates CENP-ACnp1 assembly on appropriate sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puneet P. Singh
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - Manu Shukla
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - Sharon A. White
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - Marcel Lafos
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - Pin Tong
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - Tatsiana Auchynnikava
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - Christos Spanos
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - Juri Rappsilber
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom;,Bioanalytics, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alison L. Pidoux
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
| | - Robin C. Allshire
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, United Kingdom
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29
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Mitra S, Bodor DL, David AF, Abdul-Zani I, Mata JF, Neumann B, Reither S, Tischer C, Jansen LET. Genetic screening identifies a SUMO protease dynamically maintaining centromeric chromatin. Nat Commun 2020; 11:501. [PMID: 31980633 PMCID: PMC6981222 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-14276-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Centromeres are defined by a self-propagating chromatin structure based on stable inheritance of CENP-A containing nucleosomes. Here, we present a genetic screen coupled to pulse-chase labeling that allow us to identify proteins selectively involved in deposition of nascent CENP-A or in long-term transmission of chromatin-bound CENP-A. These include factors with known roles in DNA replication, repair, chromatin modification, and transcription, revealing a broad set of chromatin regulators that impact on CENP-A dynamics. We further identify the SUMO-protease SENP6 as a key factor, not only controlling CENP-A stability but virtually the entire centromere and kinetochore. Loss of SENP6 results in hyper-SUMOylation of CENP-C and CENP-I but not CENP-A itself. SENP6 activity is required throughout the cell cycle, suggesting that a dynamic SUMO cycle underlies a continuous surveillance of the centromere complex that in turn ensures stable transmission of CENP-A chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreyoshi Mitra
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Dani L Bodor
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal
- MRC-Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, UCL, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Ana F David
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Izma Abdul-Zani
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - João F Mata
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Beate Neumann
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Meyerhofstrasse 1, D-69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabine Reither
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Meyerhofstrasse 1, D-69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Tischer
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Meyerhofstrasse 1, D-69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lars E T Jansen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK.
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal.
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30
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Ling YH, Lin Z, Yuen KWY. Genetic and epigenetic effects on centromere establishment. Chromosoma 2019; 129:1-24. [PMID: 31781852 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-019-00727-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous chromosomes contain centromeres to direct equal chromosomal segregation in mitosis and meiosis. The location and function of existing centromeres is usually maintained through cell cycles and generations. Recent studies have investigated how the centromere-specific histone H3 variant CENP-A is assembled and replenished after DNA replication to epigenetically propagate the centromere identity. However, existing centromeres occasionally become inactivated, with or without change in underlying DNA sequences, or lost after chromosomal rearrangements, resulting in acentric chromosomes. New centromeres, known as neocentromeres, may form on ectopic, non-centromeric chromosomal regions to rescue acentric chromosomes from being lost, or form dicentric chromosomes if the original centromere is still active. In addition, de novo centromeres can form after chromatinization of purified DNA that is exogenously introduced into cells. Here, we review the phenomena of naturally occurring and experimentally induced new centromeres and summarize the genetic (DNA sequence) and epigenetic features of these new centromeres. We compare the characteristics of new and native centromeres to understand whether there are different requirements for centromere establishment and propagation. Based on our understanding of the mechanisms of new centromere formation, we discuss the perspectives of developing more stably segregating human artificial chromosomes to facilitate gene delivery in therapeutics and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yick Hin Ling
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
| | - Zhongyang Lin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
| | - Karen Wing Yee Yuen
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.
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31
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Pauleau AL, Bergner A, Kajtez J, Erhardt S. The checkpoint protein Zw10 connects CAL1-dependent CENP-A centromeric loading and mitosis duration in Drosophila cells. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008380. [PMID: 31553715 PMCID: PMC6779278 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A defining feature of centromeres is the presence of the histone H3 variant CENP-A that replaces H3 in a subset of centromeric nucleosomes. In Drosophila cultured cells CENP-A deposition at centromeres takes place during the metaphase stage of the cell cycle and strictly depends on the presence of its specific chaperone CAL1. How CENP-A loading is restricted to mitosis is unknown. We found that overexpression of CAL1 is associated with increased CENP-A levels at centromeres and uncouples CENP-A loading from mitosis. Moreover, CENP-A levels inversely correlate with mitosis duration suggesting crosstalk of CENP-A loading with the regulatory machinery of mitosis. Mitosis length is influenced by the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), and we found that CAL1 interacts with the SAC protein and RZZ complex component Zw10 and thus constitutes the anchor for the recruitment of RZZ. Therefore, CAL1 controls CENP-A incorporation at centromeres both quantitatively and temporally, connecting it to the SAC to ensure mitotic fidelity. Segregation of DNA during mitosis is a highly regulated process necessary to ensure the faithful transmission of genetic material to new daughter cells. Centromeric chromatin, which is defined by the presence of the histone H3 variant CENP-A, mediates the interaction of chromosomes with the spindle apparatus. In most organisms, CENP-A incorporation into centromeric chromatin is uncoupled from DNA replication and depends on specialized loading mechanisms and chaperones. In Drosophila cells, CENP-A loading takes place during mitosis and is mediated by its loading factor CAL1. We show that CAL1 controls the amount as well as the timing of CENP-A incorporation into centromeric chromatin. Moreover, CENP-A loading inversely correlates with the duration of mitosis. Mitosis length is influenced by the spindle assembly checkpoint, which ensures that all centromeres are attached correctly to the microtubule spindle. We identified the checkpoint protein and RZZ component Zw10 as a new interactor of CAL1. This interaction establishes a connection between CENP-A loading and mitosis control. We hypothesize that this crosstalk between CENP-A loading and spindle assembly checkpoint ensures that mitosis does not proceed until a sufficient amount of CENP-A is incorporated, thereby safeguarding centromere function and chromosome segregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Laure Pauleau
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg, Germany
- DKFZ-ZMBH-Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
- CellNetworks Excellence Cluster, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrea Bergner
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg, Germany
- DKFZ-ZMBH-Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
- CellNetworks Excellence Cluster, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Janko Kajtez
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sylvia Erhardt
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg, Germany
- DKFZ-ZMBH-Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
- CellNetworks Excellence Cluster, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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32
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Tong P, Pidoux AL, Toda NRT, Ard R, Berger H, Shukla M, Torres-Garcia J, Müller CA, Nieduszynski CA, Allshire RC. Interspecies conservation of organisation and function between nonhomologous regional centromeres. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2343. [PMID: 31138803 PMCID: PMC6538654 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09824-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the conserved essential function of centromeres, centromeric DNA itself is not conserved. The histone-H3 variant, CENP-A, is the epigenetic mark that specifies centromere identity. Paradoxically, CENP-A normally assembles on particular sequences at specific genomic locations. To gain insight into the specification of complex centromeres, here we take an evolutionary approach, fully assembling genomes and centromeres of related fission yeasts. Centromere domain organization, but not sequence, is conserved between Schizosaccharomyces pombe, S. octosporus and S. cryophilus with a central CENP-ACnp1 domain flanked by heterochromatic outer-repeat regions. Conserved syntenic clusters of tRNA genes and 5S rRNA genes occur across the centromeres of S. octosporus and S. cryophilus, suggesting conserved function. Interestingly, nonhomologous centromere central-core sequences from S. octosporus and S. cryophilus are recognized in S. pombe, resulting in cross-species establishment of CENP-ACnp1 chromatin and functional kinetochores. Therefore, despite the lack of sequence conservation, Schizosaccharomyces centromere DNA possesses intrinsic conserved properties that promote assembly of CENP-A chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pin Tong
- 0000 0004 1936 7988grid.4305.2Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology and Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF UK
| | - Alison L. Pidoux
- 0000 0004 1936 7988grid.4305.2Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology and Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF UK
| | - Nicholas R. T. Toda
- 0000 0004 1936 7988grid.4305.2Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology and Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF UK ,0000 0001 2203 0006grid.464101.6Present Address: UPMC CNRS, Roscoff Marine Station, Place Georges Teissier, 29680 Roscoff, France
| | - Ryan Ard
- 0000 0004 1936 7988grid.4305.2Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology and Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF UK ,0000 0001 0674 042Xgrid.5254.6Present Address: Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen, Bülowsvej 34, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Harald Berger
- 0000 0004 1936 7988grid.4305.2Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology and Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF UK ,0000 0001 2298 5320grid.5173.0Present Address: Symbiocyte, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Manu Shukla
- 0000 0004 1936 7988grid.4305.2Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology and Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF UK
| | - Jesus Torres-Garcia
- 0000 0004 1936 7988grid.4305.2Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology and Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF UK
| | - Carolin A. Müller
- 0000 0004 1936 8948grid.4991.5Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE UK
| | - Conrad A. Nieduszynski
- 0000 0004 1936 8948grid.4991.5Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE UK
| | - Robin C. Allshire
- 0000 0004 1936 7988grid.4305.2Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology and Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF UK
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33
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The nucleosomes that mark centromere location on chromosomes old and new. Essays Biochem 2019; 63:15-27. [DOI: 10.1042/ebc20180060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Proper segregation of chromosomes is an essential component of cell division. The centromere is the locus at which the kinetochore—the proteinaceous complex that ties chromosomes to microtubules—forms during mitosis and meiosis. Thus, the centromere is critical for equal segregation of chromosomes. The centromere is characterized by both protein and DNA elements: the histone H3 variant CENP-A epigenetically defines the location of the centromere while centromeric DNA sequences are neither necessary nor sufficient for centromere function. Paradoxically, the DNA sequences play a critical role in new centromere formation. In this essay, we discuss the contribution of both epigenetics and genetics at the centromere. Understanding these contributions is vital to efforts to control centromere formation on synthetic/artificial chromosomes and centromere strength on natural ones.
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34
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Nakagawa T, Okita AK. Transcriptional silencing of centromere repeats by heterochromatin safeguards chromosome integrity. Curr Genet 2019; 65:1089-1098. [PMID: 30997531 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-019-00975-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The centromere region of chromosomes consists of repetitive DNA sequences, and is, therefore, one of the fragile sites of chromosomes in many eukaryotes. In the core region, the histone H3 variant CENP-A forms centromere-specific nucleosomes that are required for kinetochore formation. In the pericentromeric region, histone H3 is methylated at lysine 9 (H3K9) and heterochromatin is formed. The transcription of pericentromeric repeats by RNA polymerase II is strictly repressed by heterochromatin. However, the role of the transcriptional silencing of the pericentromeric repeats remains largely unclear. Here, we focus on the chromosomal rearrangements that occur at the repetitive centromeres, and highlight our recent studies showing that transcriptional silencing by heterochromatin suppresses gross chromosomal rearrangements (GCRs) at centromeres in fission yeast. Inactivation of the Clr4 methyltransferase, which is essential for the H3K9 methylation, increased GCRs with breakpoints located in centromeric repeats. However, mutations in RNA polymerase II or the transcription factor Tfs1/TFIIS, which promotes restart of RNA polymerase II following its backtracking, reduced the GCRs that occur in the absence of Clr4, demonstrating that heterochromatin suppresses GCRs by repressing the Tfs1-dependent transcription. We also discuss how the transcriptional restart gives rise to chromosomal rearrangements at centromeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuro Nakagawa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-0043, Japan.
| | - Akiko K Okita
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-0043, Japan
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Dawicki-McKenna JM, Black BE. Chromosomes: Keeping Centromeric Chromatin Tidy through S Phase. Curr Biol 2019; 29:R35-R37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.11.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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