FEATURES

FAMILY

DESCRIPTION

Also known as CENPA_CHICK, CENPA. Histone H3-like nucleosomal protein that is specifically found in centromeric nucleosomes (PubMed:14563550). Replaces conventional H3 in the nucleosome core of centromeric chromatin at the inner plate of the kinetochore. The presence of CENPA subtly modifies the nucleosome structure and the way DNA is wrapped around the nucleosome and gives rise to protruding DNA ends that are less well-ordered and rigid compared to nucleosomes containing histone H3. May serve as an epigenetic mark that propagates centromere identity through replication and cell division (By similarity). Required for recruitment and assembly of kinetochore proteins, and as a consequence required for progress through mitosis, chromosome segregation and cytokinesis (PubMed:15870271). Component of centromeric nucleosomes, where DNA is wrapped around a histone octamer core. The octamer contains two molecules each of H2A, H2B, CENPA and H4 assembled in one CENPA-H4 heterotetramer and two H2A-H2B heterodimers. CENPA modulates the DNA-binding characteristics of nucleosomes so that protruding DNA ends have higher flexibility than in nucleosomes containing conventional histone H3.

EXTERNAL LINKS

CENPA

Histone H3-like centromeric protein A

CENPA

Molecular Synopsis