title: Centromeres: unique chromatin structures that drive chromosome segregation.
abstract: Fidelity during chromosome segregation is essential to prevent aneuploidy. The proteins and chromatin at the centromere form a unique site for kinetochore attachment and allow the cell to sense and correct errors during chromosome segregation. Centromeric chromatin is characterized by distinct chromatin organization, epigenetics, centromere-associated proteins and histone variants. These include the histone H3 variant centromeric protein A (CENPA), the composition and deposition of which have been widely investigated. Studies have examined the structural and biophysical properties of the centromere and have suggested that the centromere is not simply a 'landing pad' for kinetochore formation, but has an essential role in mitosis by assembling and directing the organization of the kinetochore.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Jolien S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Verdaasdonk
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bloom
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002503:Centromere / Q000378:metabolism*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D020090:Chromosome Segregation; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018386:Kinetochores / Q000378:metabolism*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D006657:Histones