The domain structure of centromeres is conserved from fission yeast to humans

Mol Biol Cell. 2001 Sep;12(9):2767-75. doi: 10.1091/mbc.12.9.2767.

Abstract

The centromeric DNA of fission yeast is arranged with a central core flanked by repeated sequences. The centromere-associated proteins, Mis6p and Cnp1p (SpCENP-A), associate exclusively with central core DNA, whereas the Swi6 protein binds the surrounding repeats. Here, electron microscopy and immunofluorescence light microscopy reveal that the central core and flanking regions occupy distinct positions within a heterochromatic domain. An "anchor" structure containing the Ndc80 protein resides between this heterochromatic domain and the spindle pole body. The organization of centromere-associated proteins in fission yeast is reminiscent of the multilayered structures of human kinetochores, indicating that such domain structure is conserved in eukaryotes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle Proteins*
  • Centromere / chemistry*
  • Centromere / genetics
  • Centromere / ultrastructure*
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism
  • Chromosomes, Fungal / chemistry
  • Chromosomes, Fungal / genetics
  • Chromosomes, Fungal / ultrastructure
  • DNA, Fungal / chemistry
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA, Fungal / metabolism
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Heterochromatin / chemistry
  • Heterochromatin / genetics
  • Heterochromatin / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Kinetochores
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins*
  • Schizosaccharomyces / cytology*
  • Schizosaccharomyces / genetics
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / chemistry
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Cnp1 protein, S pombe
  • DNA, Fungal
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Heterochromatin
  • Mis6 protein, S pombe
  • NDC80 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • SWI6 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins
  • Transcription Factors