title: Repetitive centromeric satellite RNA is essential for kinetochore formation and cell division.
abstract: Chromosome segregation requires centromeres on every sister chromatid to correctly form and attach the microtubule spindle during cell division. Even though centromeres are essential for genome stability, the underlying centromeric DNA is highly variable in sequence and evolves quickly. Epigenetic mechanisms are therefore thought to regulate centromeres. Here, we show that the 359-bp repeat satellite III (SAT III), which spans megabases on the X chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster, produces a long noncoding RNA that localizes to centromeric regions of all major chromosomes. Depletion of SAT III RNA causes mitotic defects, not only of the sex chromosome but also in trans of all autosomes. We furthermore find that SAT III RNA binds to the kinetochore component CENP-C, and is required for correct localization of the centromere-defining proteins CENP-A and CENP-C, as well as outer kinetochore proteins. In conclusion, our data reveal that SAT III RNA is an integral part of centromere identity, adding RNA to the complex epigenetic mark at centromeres in flies.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)-ZMBH Alliance, and CellNetworks Excellence Cluster, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)-ZMBH Alliance, and CellNetworks Excellence Cluster, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)-ZMBH Alliance, and CellNetworks Excellence Cluster, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rošić
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)-ZMBH Alliance, and CellNetworks Excellence Cluster, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)-ZMBH Alliance, and CellNetworks Excellence Cluster, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)-ZMBH Alliance, and CellNetworks Excellence Cluster, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)-ZMBH Alliance, and CellNetworks Excellence Cluster, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)-ZMBH Alliance, and CellNetworks Excellence Cluster, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)-ZMBH Alliance, and CellNetworks Excellence Cluster, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany s.erhardt@zmbh.uni-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Erhardt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D002460:Cell Line; D002503:Centromere / Q000235:genetics; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000378:metabolism; D020090:Chromosome Segregation; D059006:Chromosomes, Insect / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D018386:Kinetochores / Q000502:physiology*; D034443:RNA Transport; D019244:RNA, Satellite / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C581136:CENP-C protein, Drosophila; D002843:Chromatin; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D019244:RNA, Satellite