title: Structure and Function of Centromeric and Pericentromeric Heterochromatin in Arabidopsis thaliana.
abstract: The centromere is a specific chromosomal region where the kinetochore assembles to ensure the faithful segregation of sister chromatids during mitosis and meiosis. Centromeres are defined by a local enrichment of the specific histone variant CenH3 mostly at repetitive satellite sequences. A larger pericentromeric region containing repetitive sequences and transposable elements surrounds the centromere that adopts a particular chromatin state characterized by specific histone variants and post-translational modifications and forms a transcriptionally repressive chromosomal environment. In the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana centromeric and pericentromeric domains form conspicuous heterochromatin clusters called chromocenters in interphase. Here we discuss, using Arabidopsis as example, recent insight into mechanisms involved in maintenance and establishment of centromeric and pericentromeric chromatin signatures as well as in chromocenter formation.
authors.affiliation: CNRS UMR6293, INSERM U1103, Clermont University , GReD, Aubière, France.
authors.forename: Lauriane
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: CNRS UMR6293, INSERM U1103, Clermont University , GReD, Aubière, France.
authors.forename: Maxime
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Voisin
authors.affiliation: CNRS UMR6293, INSERM U1103, Clermont University , GReD, Aubière, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tatout
authors.affiliation: CNRS UMR6293, INSERM U1103, Clermont University , GReD, Aubière, France.
authors.forename: Aline V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Probst
keywords: 3D nucleus; centromere; chromocenter; histone variants; lamina; nuclear envelope