biostudies-literatureDudka DNICHD NIH HHSNIGMS NIH HHS814-822https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11880906biostudies-literatureUnknown638(8051)The abundance and sequence of satellite DNA at and around centromeres is evolving rapidly despite the highly conserved and essential process through which the centromere directs chromosome inheritance^1-3. The impact of such rapid evolution is unclear. Here we find that sequence-dependent DNA shape dictates packaging of pericentromeric satellites in female meiosis through a conserved DNA-shape-recognizing chromatin architectural protein, high mobility group AT-hook 1 (HMGA1)^4,5. Pericentromeric heterochromatin in two closely related mouse species, M. musculus and M. spretus, forms on divergent satellites that differ by both density of narrow DNA minor grooves and HMGA1 recruitment. HMGA1 binds preferentially to M. musculus satellites, and depletion in M. musculus oocytNatureSatellite DNA shapes dictate pericentromere packaging in female meiosis.PMC11880906R35 GM122475R01 HD058730R35 GM130302Beeravolu KDawicki-McKenna JMLampson MASun XBlack BEAkera TDudka DfalseSatellite DNA shapes dictate pericentromere packaging in female meiosis.The abundance and sequence of satellite DNA at and around centromeres is evolving rapidly despite the highly conserved and essential process through which the centromere directs chromosome inheritance^1-3. The impact of such rapid evolution is unclear. Here we find that sequence-dependent DNA shape dictates packaging of pericentromeric satellites in female meiosis through a conserved DNA-shape-recognizing chromatin architectural protein, high mobility group AT-hook 1 (HMGA1)^4,5. Pericentromeric heterochromatin in two closely related mouse species, M. musculus and M. spretus, forms on divergent satellites that differ by both density of narrow DNA minor grooves and HMGA1 recruitment. HMGA1 binds preferentially to M. musculus satellites, and depletion in M. musculus oocyt2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Feb2026-03-18T13:34:43.322Z2025-08-18T09:54:18.133ZS-EPMC118809063977985310.1038/s41586-024-08374-0