Project description:The centromere is the genetic locus that organizes the proteinaceous kinetochore and is responsible for attachment of the chromosome to the spindle at mitosis and meiosis. In most eukaryotes, the centromere consists of highly repetitive DNA sequences that are occupied by nucleosomes containing the CenH3 histone variant, whereas in budding yeast, an ~120-bp Centromere DNA Element (CDE) that is sufficient for centromere function is occupied by a single right-handed CenH3 (Cse4) nucleosome. However, these in vivo observations are inconsistent with in vitro evidence for left-handed octameric CenH3 nucleosomes. To help resolve these inconsistencies, we characterized yeast centromeric chromatin at single base-pair resolution. Intact particles containing both Cse4 and H2A are precisely protected from micrococcal nuclease over the entire CDE of all 16 yeast centromeres in both solubilized chromatin and the insoluble kinetochore. Small DNA-binding proteins protect CDEI and CDEIII and delimit the centromeric nucleosome to the ~80-bp CDEII, only enough for a single DNA wrap. As expected for a tripartite organization of centromeric chromatin, loss of Cbf1 protein, which binds to CDEI, both reduces the size of the centromere-protected region and shifts its location towards CDEIII. Surprisingly, Cse4 overproduction caused genome-wide misincorporation of non-functional CenH3-containing nucleosomes that protect ~135 base pairs and are preferentially enriched at sites of high nucleosome turnover. Our detection of two forms of CenH3 nucleosomes in the yeast genome, a singly wrapped particle at the functional centromere and octamer-sized particles on chromosome arms, reconcile seemingly conflicting in vivo and in vitro observations. We used micrococcal nuclease mapping, chromatin immunoprecipitation and paired-end sequencing to determine the structure of yeast centromeres at single base-pair resolution.
Project description:The centromere is the genetic locus that organizes the proteinaceous kinetochore and is responsible for attachment of the chromosome to the spindle at mitosis and meiosis. In most eukaryotes, the centromere consists of highly repetitive DNA sequences that are occupied by nucleosomes containing the CenH3 histone variant, whereas in budding yeast, an ~120-bp Centromere DNA Element (CDE) that is sufficient for centromere function is occupied by a single right-handed CenH3 (Cse4) nucleosome. However, these in vivo observations are inconsistent with in vitro evidence for left-handed octameric CenH3 nucleosomes. To help resolve these inconsistencies, we characterized yeast centromeric chromatin at single base-pair resolution. Intact particles containing both Cse4 and H2A are precisely protected from micrococcal nuclease over the entire CDE of all 16 yeast centromeres in both solubilized chromatin and the insoluble kinetochore. Small DNA-binding proteins protect CDEI and CDEIII and delimit the centromeric nucleosome to the ~80-bp CDEII, only enough for a single DNA wrap. As expected for a tripartite organization of centromeric chromatin, loss of Cbf1 protein, which binds to CDEI, both reduces the size of the centromere-protected region and shifts its location towards CDEIII. Surprisingly, Cse4 overproduction caused genome-wide misincorporation of non-functional CenH3-containing nucleosomes that protect ~135 base pairs and are preferentially enriched at sites of high nucleosome turnover. Our detection of two forms of CenH3 nucleosomes in the yeast genome, a singly wrapped particle at the functional centromere and octamer-sized particles on chromosome arms, reconcile seemingly conflicting in vivo and in vitro observations.
Project description:Precise localization of the histone H3 variant CENP-A(Cse4) to centromeres is essential for accurate chromosome segregation. In budding yeast, CENP-A(Cse4) is regulated by ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis to ensure its exclusive localization to the centromere. Overexpression of CENP-A(Cse4) is lethal when the CENP-A(Cse4) E3 ubiquitin ligase, Psh1, is deleted. To identify the genomic sites of CENP-A(Cse4) mislocalization in this condition, we investigated the genome-wide mislocalization pattern of CENP-A(Cse4) by ChIP-seq.
Project description:Precise localization of the histone H3 variant CENP-A(Cse4) to centromeres is essential for accurate chromosome segregation. In budding yeast, CENP-A(Cse4) is regulated by ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis to ensure its exclusive localization to the centromere. Overexpression of CENP-A(Cse4) is lethal when the CENP-A(Cse4) E3 ubiquitin ligase, Psh1, is deleted. CENP-A(Cse4) mislocalizes to promoters in this condition, so we investigated if there was an effect on gene expression of downstream genes using RNA-seq.
Project description:Accurate chromosome segregation requires centromeres (CENs), the chromosomal sites where kinetochores form, to bridge DNA and attach to microtubules. In contrast to most eukaryotes, Saccharomyces cerevisiae possesses sequence-defined point centromeres. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-Seq) of four kinetochore components reveals regions of overlapping, extra-centromeric protein localization upon overproduction of the centromeric histone, Cse4 (CENP-A or CenH3). These identified sequences enhance proper plasmid and chromosome segregation, and are termed Centromere-like Regions (CLRs). CLRs form in close proximity to S. cerevisiae CENs and share characteristics typical of point and regional centromeres. CLR sequences are conserved among related budding yeasts, suggesting a role in vivo. These studies provide new insights into the origin and evolution of centromeres. ChIP-Seq analysis of the kinetochore components Cse4, Mif2, Ndc10 and Ndc80 in budding yeast strains (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) with normal and elevated levels of Cse4
Project description:Correct localization of the centromeric histone variant CenH3/CENP-A/Cse4 is an important part of faithful chromosome segregation. Mislocalization of CenH3 could lead to ectopic centromere formation and missegregation, and could affect DNA replication and transcription. CENP-A is often overexpressed and mislocalized in cancer genomes, but the underlying mechanisms are not understood. One major regulator of Cse4 deposition is Psh1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that controls levels of Cse4 to prevent deposition into noncentromeric regions. We present evidence that Chromatin assembly factor-1 (CAF-1), an evolutionarily conserved histone H3/H4 chaperone shown previously to interact with CenH3 in flies and human cells, regulates Cse4 deposition in budding yeast. Yeast CAF-1 (yCAF-1) is a heterotrimeric protein complex consisting of CAC1, CAC2, and CAC3, which interacts with Cse4, and can assemble Cse4 nucleosomes in vitro. yCAF-1 regulates the stability of both soluble and chromatin associated Cse4. Loss of yCAF-1 can rescue growth defects and changes in gene expression associated with Cse4 deposition that occur in the absence of Psh1-mediated proteolysis. Incorporation of Cse4 into promoter nucleosomes at transcriptionally active genes depends on yCAF-1. Overall our findings suggest CAF-1 can act as a CenH3 chaperone, regulating levels and incorporation of CenH3 in chromatin. Furthermore, the misincorporation of CenH3 at promoter regions may have negative consequences for gene expression.
Project description:Correct localization of the centromeric histone variant CenH3/CENP-A/Cse4 is an important part of faithful chromosome segregation. Mislocalization of CenH3 could lead to ectopic centromere formation and missegregation, and could affect DNA replication and transcription. CENP-A is often overexpressed and mislocalized in cancer genomes, but the underlying mechanisms are not understood. One major regulator of Cse4 deposition is Psh1, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that controls levels of Cse4 to prevent deposition into noncentromeric regions. We present evidence that Chromatin assembly factor-1 (CAF-1), an evolutionarily conserved histone H3/H4 chaperone shown previously to interact with CenH3 in flies and human cells, regulates Cse4 deposition in budding yeast. Yeast CAF-1 (yCAF-1) is a heterotrimeric protein complex consisting of CAC1, CAC2, and CAC3, which interacts with Cse4, and can assemble Cse4 nucleosomes in vitro. yCAF-1 regulates the stability of both soluble and chromatin associated Cse4. Loss of yCAF-1 can rescue growth defects and changes in gene expression associated with Cse4 deposition that occur in the absence of Psh1-mediated proteolysis. Incorporation of Cse4 into promoter nucleosomes at transcriptionally active genes depends on yCAF-1. Overall our findings suggest CAF-1 can act as a CenH3 chaperone, regulating levels and incorporation of CenH3 in chromatin. Furthermore, the misincorporation of CenH3 at promoter regions may have negative consequences for gene expression.
Project description:Kinetochores are macromolecular protein complexes that ensure accurate chromosome segregation by linking chromosomes to spindle microtubules and integrating safeguard mechanisms. In yeast, the inner kinetochore, also known as Constitutive Centromere Associated Network (CCAN), is specifically established at point centromeres and has been implicated in contributing to Aurora-BIpl1 function. In an attempt to gain a more detailed picture of the budding yeast kinetochore architecture, crosslink-guided in vitro reconstitution revealed novel direct interactions of the inner kinetochore assembled on Cse4CENP-A nucleosomes. The Ame1/Okp1CENP-U/Q heterodimer selectively bound Cse4CENP-A nucleosomes through the Cse4 N-terminus, providing an explanation for the essential role of the COMA complex in budding yeast. Moreover, the Sli15/Ipl1 core chromosomal passenger complex was found to directly interact with COMA in vitro, suggesting a hitherto unknown role of the COMA complex in establishing biorientation. In line with this finding, in vivo artificial tethering of Sli15 to inner kinetochore proteins rescued synthetically lethal subunit deletion phenotypes in a Sli15 centromere targeting deficient mutant. This study reveals characteristics of the inner kinetochore architecture assembled at point centromeres and its implications on chromosomal passenger complex function.
Project description:Kinetochores are macromolecular protein complexes that ensure accurate chromosome segregation by linking chromosomes to spindle microtubules and integrating safeguard mechanisms. In yeast, the inner kinetochore, also known as Constitutive Centromere Associated Network (CCAN), is specifically established at point centromeres and has been implicated in contributing to Aurora-BIpl1 function. In an attempt to gain a more detailed picture of the budding yeast kinetochore architecture, crosslink-guided in vitro reconstitution revealed novel direct interactions of the inner kinetochore assembled on Cse4CENP-A nucleosomes. The Ame1/Okp1CENP-U/Q heterodimer selectively bound Cse4CENP-A nucleosomes through the Cse4 N-terminus, providing an explanation for the essential role of the COMA complex in budding yeast. Moreover, the Sli15/Ipl1 core chromosomal passenger complex was found to directly interact with COMA in vitro, suggesting a hitherto unknown role of the COMA complex in establishing biorientation. In line with this finding, in vivo artificial tethering of Sli15 to inner kinetochore proteins rescued synthetically lethal subunit deletion phenotypes in a Sli15 centromere targeting deficient mutant. This study reveals characteristics of the inner kinetochore architecture assembled at point centromeres and its implications on chromosomal passenger complex function.