title: Integration of human alpha-satellite DNA into simian chromosomes: centromere protein binding and disruption of normal chromosome segregation.
abstract: Centromeres of mammalian and other complex eukaryotic chromosomes are dominated by one or more classes of satellite DNA. To test the hypothesis that alpha-satellite DNA, the major centromeric satellite of primate chromosomes, is involved in centromere structure and/or function, human alpha-satellite DNA was introduced into African green monkey (AGM) cells. Centromere protein binding was apparent at the sites of integrated human alpha-satellite DNA. In the presence of an AGM centromere on the same chromosome, human alpha-satellite was associated with bridges between the separating sets of chromatids at anaphase and an increased number of lagging chromosomes at metaphase, both features consistent with the integrated alpha-satellite disrupting normal chromosome segregation. These experiments suggest that alpha-satellite DNA provides the primary sequence information for centromere protein binding and for at least some functional aspect(s) of a mammalian centromere, playing a role either in kinetochore formation or in sister chromatid apposition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haaf
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Warburton
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Willard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002503:Centromere / Q000378:metabolism*; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D004276:DNA, Satellite / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008938:Mitosis; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding
chemical_list: D004276:DNA, Satellite; D009687:Nuclear Proteins