title: Chromatin assembly: Journey to the CENter of the chromosome.
abstract: All eukaryotic genomes are packaged into basic units of DNA wrapped around histone proteins called nucleosomes. The ability of histones to specify a variety of epigenetic states at defined chromatin domains is essential for cell survival. The most distinctive type of chromatin is found at centromeres, which are marked by the centromere-specific histone H3 variant CENP-A. Many of the factors that regulate CENP-A chromatin have been identified; however, our understanding of the mechanisms of centromeric nucleosome assembly, maintenance, and reorganization remains limited. This review discusses recent insights into these processes and draws parallels between centromeric and noncentromeric chromatin assembly mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269.
authors.forename: Chin-Chi
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 barbara.mellone@uconn.edu.
authors.forename: Barbara G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Mellone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001324:Autoantigens; D002503:Centromere / Q000378:metabolism*; D000076247:Centromere Protein A; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D004261:DNA Replication; D006801:Humans; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens; C000619700:CENPA protein, human; D000076247:Centromere Protein A; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone