Identification of the centromere-specific histone H3 variant in Lotus japonicus.
The centromere is a structurally and functionally specialized region present on every eukaryotic chromosome. Lotus japonicus is a model legume species for which there is very limited information on the centromere structure. Here we cloned and characterized the L. japonicus homolog of the centromere-specific histone H3 gene (LjCenH3) encoding a 159-amino acid protein. Using an Agrobacterium-based transformation system, LjCenH3 tagged with a green fluorescent protein was transferred into L. japonicus cells. The centromeric position of LjCENH3 protein was revealed on L. japonicus metaphase chromosomes by an immunofluorescence assay. The identification of LjCenH3 as a critical centromere landmark could pave the way for a better understanding of centromere structure in this model and other agriculturally important legume species.
Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Kurashiki 710-0046, Japan. Electronic address: altek2@gmail.com.
Ahmet L
AL
Tek
Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Kurashiki 710-0046, Japan.
Kazunari
K
Kashihara
Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Kurashiki 710-0046, Japan.
Minoru
M
Murata
Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Kurashiki 710-0046, Japan. Electronic address: nagaki@rib.okayama-u.ac.jp.
Kiyotaka
K
Nagaki
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D002503:Centromere / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006657:Histones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000070116:Lotus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding
D006657:Histones; D010940:Plant Proteins
CenH3/CENP-A; Centromere; Fabaceae; Green fluorescent protein; Leguminosae