Fission Yeast CENP-C (Cnp3) Plays a Role in Restricting the Site of CENP-A Accumulation

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Teppei Kitagawa^1¹  Michiko Suma^1² 

[1] G0 cell unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan, 904-0495^2;Radiation Biology Center, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe cho, Sakyo ku, Kyoto, Japan, 606-8501^1

关键词: centromere;    CENP-A;    CENP-C;    and fission yeast;   

DOI  :  10.1534/g3.118.200486

学科分类：生物科学（综合）

来源: Genetics Society of America

【 摘 要 】

The centromere is a chromosomal locus where a microtubule attachment site, termed kinetochore, is assembled in mitosis. In most eukaryotes, with the exception of holocentric species, each chromosome contains a single distinct centromere. A chromosome with an additional centromere undergoes successive rounds of anaphase bridge formation and breakage, or triggers a cell cycle arrest imposed by DNA damage and replication checkpoints. We report here a study in Schizosaccharomyces pombe to characterize a mutant ( cnp3-1 ) in a gene encoding a homolog of mammalian centromere-specific protein, CENP-C. At the restrictive temperature 36°, the Cnp3-1 mutant protein loses its localization at the centromere. In the cnp3-1 mutant, the level of the Cnp1 (a homolog of a centromere-specific histone CENP-A) also decreases at the centromere. Interestingly, the cnp3-1 mutant is prone to promiscuous accumulation of Cnp1 at non-centromeric regions, when Cnp1 is present in excess. Unlike the wild type protein, Cnp3-1 mutant protein is found at the sites of promiscuous accumulation of Cnp1, suggesting that Cnp3-1 may stabilize or promote accumulation of Cnp1 at non-centromeric regions. From these results, we infer the role of Cnp3 in restricting the site of accumulation of Cnp1 and thus to prevent formation of de novo centromeres.

【 授权许可】

CC BY