Formation of Centromeres in vivo

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

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Abstract

Our goal is understand the basis for how cells divide while maintaining their DNA faithfully in successful divisions. This process is essential for life, in every cell, every cell cycle for the entirety of a human's life cycle, from birth to death. The centromere is a unique segment of every chromosome that performs this function, and it is underpinned mechanically and epigenetically by an essential set of kinetochore proteins including CENP-A. We have published, to date,65+ papers on this topic, including about 10 in the past 2 years in high profile journals. These data demonstrate how various epigenetic factors, namely lncRNAs and kinetochore proteins and non coding transcription of breakpoint-prone repetitive sequences, can modulate centromere integrity.