The CENP-H-I complex is required for the efficient incorporation of newly synthesized CENP-A into centromeres

Nat Cell Biol. 2006 May;8(5):446-57. doi: 10.1038/ncb1396. Epub 2006 Apr 16.

Abstract

In vertebrates, centromeres lack defined sequences and are thought to be propagated by epigenetic mechanisms involving the incorporation of specialized nucleosomes containing the histone H3 variant centromere protein (CENP)-A. However, the precise mechanisms that target CENP-A to centromeres remain poorly understood. Here, we isolated a multi-subunit complex, which includes the established inner kinetochore components CENP-H and CENP-I, and nine other proteins, from both human and chicken cells. Our analysis of these proteins demonstrates that the CENP-H-I complex can be divided into three functional sub-complexes, each of which is required for faithful chromosome segregation. Interestingly, newly expressed CENP-A is not efficiently incorporated into centromeres in knockout mutants of a subclass of CENP-H-I complex proteins, indicating that the CENP-H-I complex may function, in part, as a marker directing CENP-A deposition to centromeres.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoantigens / biosynthesis*
  • Autoantigens / metabolism*
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Centromere / chemistry
  • Centromere / metabolism*
  • Centromere Protein A
  • Chickens
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / biosynthesis*
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism*
  • Chromosome Segregation / genetics
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Transport

Substances

  • Autoantigens
  • CENPA protein, human
  • CENPH protein, human
  • CENPI protein, human
  • Centromere Protein A
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • NDC80 protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB231847
  • GENBANK/AB231848
  • GENBANK/AB231849
  • GENBANK/AB231850
  • GENBANK/AB231851