Heterochromatin and RNAi regulate centromeres by protecting CENP-A from ubiquitin-mediated degradation

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007572
• Publication Date: 2018-08-08T13:23:52Z
• Authors: Jinpu Yang; Siyu Sun; Shu Zhang; Marlyn Gonzalez; Qianhua Dong; Zhongxuan Chi; Yu-hang Chen; Fei Li
• Keywords: Heterochromatin protein 1; Schizosaccharomyces; Chromatin immunoprecipitation

Centromere is a specialized chromatin domain that plays vital role in chromosome segregation. In most eukaryotes, centromere surrounded by the epigenetically distinct heterochromatin domain. Heterochromatin has been shown to contribute function, but precise of specification remains elusive. Centromeres including fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe), are defined histone H3 (H3) variant CENP-A. contrast, budding Saccharomyces cerevisiae genetically-defined point centromeres. The transition between regional centromeres and considered as one dramatic evolutionary events evolution. Here we demonstrated Cse4, CENP-A homolog, can localize partially substitute CENP-ACnp1. But overexpression Cse4 results its localization heterochromatic regions. subject efficient ubiquitin-dependent degradation S. pombe, N-terminal dictates distribution via ubiquitination. Notably, without RNA interference (RNAi), fails associate with We showed RNAi-dependent mediates centromeric protecting from degradation. also contributes association native CENP-ACnp1 same mechanism. These findings suggest protection general mechanism used for assembly, provide novel insights into