title: Epigenomics of centromere assembly and function.
abstract: The centromere is a complex chromosomal locus where the kinetochore is formed and microtubules attach during cell division. Centromere identity involves both genomic and sequence-independent (epigenetic) mechanisms. Current models for how centromeres are formed and, conversely, turned off have emerged from studies of unusual or engineered chromosomes, such as neocentromeres, artificial chromosomes, and dicentric chromosomes. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of unique chromatin marked by the histone H3 variant CENP-A, classical chromatin (heterochromatin and euchromatin), and transcription during centromere activation and inactivation. These advances have deepened our view of what defines a centromere and how it behaves in various genomic and chromatin contexts.
authors.affiliation: Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy and Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, 101 Science Drive, Box 3382, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
authors.forename: Kaitlin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Stimpson
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Sullivan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002503:Centromere / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000076247:Centromere Protein A; D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D057890:Epigenomics; D016678:Genome; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens; C000619700:CENPA protein, human; D000076247:Centromere Protein A; D002843:Chromatin; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D006657:Histones