Comparison between the CENP-A and histone H3 structures in nucleosomes

Nucleus. 2012 Jan-Feb;3(1):6-11. doi: 10.4161/nucl.18372.

Abstract

Centromeres are epigenetically marked by the assembly of nucleosomes containing the centromere-specific histone H3 variant, CENP-A (CENP-A nucleosome) and their inheritance is probably dictated by the architecture of the centromeric nucleosome. We previously determined the crystal structure of the human CENP-A nucleosome. CENP-A forms a histone octamer containing two each of histones H2A, H2B, H4 and CENP-A and the DNA is left-handedly wrapped around the histone octamer, as in canonical nucleosomes containing histone H3. In the CENP-A nucleosome structure, 13 base pairs of the DNA ends are detached from the histone surface and two CENP-A regions, the αN helix and loop 1, adopt different structures from those in the H3 nucleosome. In this Extra View article, we provide a detailed structural comparison between CENP-A and H3 in nucleosomes and describe their distinctions and similarities.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autoantigens / chemistry*
  • Autoantigens / metabolism
  • Centromere Protein A
  • Centromere Protein B / chemistry
  • Centromere Protein B / metabolism
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / chemistry*
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / metabolism
  • Histones / chemistry*
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Nucleosomes / chemistry*
  • Nucleosomes / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation

Substances

  • Autoantigens
  • CENPA protein, human
  • Centromere Protein A
  • Centromere Protein B
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Histones
  • Nucleosomes
  • DNA