Biomaterial Database

Centromeres of human chromosomes. 1996

B A Sullivan, and S Schwartz, and H F Willard

Department of Genetics, Case Western Reserve, University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-4955, USA.

The centromere, recognized cytologically as the primary constriction, is essential for chromosomal attachment to the spindle and for proper segregation of mitotic and meiotic chromosomes. Considerable progress has been made in identifying both DNA and protein components of the centromere and kinetochore complex in mammalian chromosomes, including definition of specific motor proteins with demonstrable functions in chromosome movement. Searches for possible environmental influences on chromosome disjunction might logically be based on known components of the segregation apparatus, both intrinsic and extrinsic to the chromosomes themselves. This article reviews available information on both DNA and protein components of the centromere of mammalian, particularly human, chromosomes and summarizes our current understanding of their role(s) in facilitating normal chromosome behavior in mitosis and meiosis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008322	Mammals	Warm-blooded vertebrate animals belonging to the class Mammalia, including all that possess hair and suckle their young.	Mammalia,Mammal
D002503	Centromere	The clear constricted portion of the chromosome at which the chromatids are joined and by which the chromosome is attached to the spindle during cell division.	Centromeres
D002868	Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone	Nucleoproteins, which in contrast to HISTONES, are acid insoluble. They are involved in chromosomal functions; e.g. they bind selectively to DNA, stimulate transcription resulting in tissue-specific RNA synthesis and undergo specific changes in response to various hormones or phytomitogens.	Non-Histone Chromosomal Proteins,Chromosomal Proteins, Non Histone,Chromosomal Proteins, Nonhistone,Non-Histone Chromosomal Phosphoproteins,Chromosomal Phosphoproteins, Non-Histone,Non Histone Chromosomal Phosphoproteins,Non Histone Chromosomal Proteins,Nonhistone Chromosomal Proteins,Proteins, Non-Histone Chromosomal
D002877	Chromosomes, Human	Very long DNA molecules and associated proteins, HISTONES, and non-histone chromosomal proteins (CHROMOSOMAL PROTEINS, NON-HISTONE). Normally 46 chromosomes, including two sex chromosomes are found in the nucleus of human cells. They carry the hereditary information of the individual.	Chromosome, Human,Human Chromosome,Human Chromosomes
D004268	DNA-Binding Proteins	Proteins which bind to DNA. The family includes proteins which bind to both double- and single-stranded DNA and also includes specific DNA binding proteins in serum which can be used as markers for malignant diseases.	DNA Helix Destabilizing Proteins,DNA-Binding Protein,Single-Stranded DNA Binding Proteins,DNA Binding Protein,DNA Single-Stranded Binding Protein,SS DNA BP,Single-Stranded DNA-Binding Protein,Binding Protein, DNA,DNA Binding Proteins,DNA Single Stranded Binding Protein,DNA-Binding Protein, Single-Stranded,Protein, DNA-Binding,Single Stranded DNA Binding Protein,Single Stranded DNA Binding Proteins
D004276	DNA, Satellite	Highly repetitive DNA sequences found in HETEROCHROMATIN, mainly near centromeres. They are composed of simple sequences (very short) (see MINISATELLITE REPEATS) repeated in tandem many times to form large blocks of sequence. Additionally, following the accumulation of mutations, these blocks of repeats have been repeated in tandem themselves. The degree of repetition is on the order of 1000 to 10 million at each locus. Loci are few, usually one or two per chromosome. They were called satellites since in density gradients, they often sediment as distinct, satellite bands separate from the bulk of genomic DNA owing to a distinct BASE COMPOSITION.	Satellite DNA,Satellite I DNA,DNA, Satellite I,DNAs, Satellite,DNAs, Satellite I,I DNA, Satellite,I DNAs, Satellite,Satellite DNAs,Satellite I DNAs
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000076247	Centromere Protein A	A 17 kDa, centromeric, poly(ADP)-ribose binding protein that is structurally similar to HISTONE H3 and localizes to NUCLEOSOMES within the CENTROMERE; specifically within the region that binds KINETOCHORES, where it replaces histone H3. It plays a critical role in recruiting kinetochore proteins and progression through MITOSIS, chromosome segregation, and CYTOKINESIS. It also binds sera from patients with some scleroderma-like AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES.	CENP-A Protein,CENPA Protein,Centromere Autoantigens 17K,Centromere Protein 17K,Autoantigens 17K, Centromere,CENP A Protein
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001324	Autoantigens	Endogenous tissue constituents with the ability to interact with AUTOANTIBODIES and cause an immune response.	Autoantigen,Autologous Antigen,Autologous Antigens,Self-Antigen,Self-Antigens,Antigen, Autologous,Antigens, Autologous,Self Antigen,Self Antigens