Formation of functional centromeric chromatin is specified epigenetically in Candida albicans.

ABSTRACT: In the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, the 3-kb centromeric DNA regions (CEN) of each of the eight chromosomes have different and unique DNA sequences. The centromeric histone CaCse4p (CENP-A homolog) occurs only within these 3-kb CEN regions to form specialized centromeric chromatin. Centromere activity was maintained on small chromosome fragments derived in vivo by homologous recombination of a native chromosome with linear DNA fragments containing a telomere and a selectable marker. An in vivo derived 85-kb truncated chromosome containing the 3-kb CEN7 locus on 69 kb of chromosome 7 DNA was stably and autonomously maintained in mitosis, indicating that preexisting active CEN chromatin remains functional through many generations. This same 85-kb chromosome fragment, isolated as naked

SUBMITTER: Baum M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1595444 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature