?-amino trimethylation of CENP-A by NRMT is required for full recruitment of the centromere.

ABSTRACT: Centromeres are unique chromosomal domains that control chromosome segregation, and are epigenetically specified by the presence of the CENP-A containing nucleosomes. CENP-A governs centromere function by recruiting the constitutive centromere associated network (CCAN) complex. The features of the CENP-A nucleosome necessary to distinguish centromeric chromatin from general chromatin are not completely understood. Here we show that CENP-A undergoes ?-amino trimethylation by the enzyme NRMT in vivo. We show that ?-amino trimethylation of the CENP-A tail contributes to cell survival. Loss of ?-amino trimethylation causes a reduction in the CENP-T and CENP-I CCAN components at the centromere and leads to lagging chromosomes and spindle pole defects. The function of p53 alters the response of cells to defects associated with decreased CENP-A methylation. Altogether we show an important functional role for ?-amino trimethylation of the CENP-A nucleosome in maintaining centromere function and faithful chromosomes segregation.

SUBMITTER: Sathyan KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5343448 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature