Structural and functional organization of centromeres in plant chromosomes
Silkova, O.G.; Loginova, D.B.
Genetika 50(12): 1405-1417
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 0016-6758 PMID: 25975148 Document Number: 673056
The centromere is a specific chromosomal locus that forms the protein complex and kinetochore, maintains sister chromatid cohesion, controls chromosome attachment to the spindle, and coordinates chromosome movement during mitosis and meiosis. Defective centromere assembly or its dysfunction causes cell cycle arrest, structural abnormalities of the chromosomes, and aneuploidy. This review collects the data on the structure, functions, and epigenetic modification of centromeric chromatin, the structure and functions of the kinetochore, and sister chromatid cohesion. Taken together, these data provide insight into the specific architecture and functioning of the centromere during chromosome division and segregation in plants.