Nanoscale dynamics of centromere nucleosomes and the critical roles of CENP-A.

ABSTRACT: In the absence of a functioning centromere, chromosome segregation becomes aberrant, leading to an increased rate of aneuploidy. The highly specific recognition of centromeres by kinetochores suggests that specific structural characteristics define this region, however, the structural details and mechanism underlying this recognition remains a matter of intense investigation. To address this, high-speed atomic force microscopy was used for direct visualization of the spontaneous dynamics of CENP-A nucleosomes at the sub-second time scale. We report that CENP-A nucleosomes change conformation spontaneously and reversibly, utilizing two major pathways: unwrapping, and looping of the DNA; enabling core transfer between neighboring DNA substrates. Along with these nucleosome dynamics we observ

SUBMITTER: Stumme-Diers MP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5758880 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature