Abstract
The centromere-specific histone CENP-A is the key epigenetic determinant of centromere identity. Whereas most histones are removed from mature sperm, CENP-A is retained to mark paternal centromeres. In Drosophila males we show that the centromere assembly factors CAL1 and CENP-C are required for meiotic chromosome segregation, CENP-A assembly and maintenance on sperm, as well as fertility. In meiosis, CENP-A accumulates with CAL1 in nucleoli. Furthermore, we show that CENP-C normally limits the release of CAL1 and CENP-A from nucleoli for proper centromere assembly in meiotic prophase I. Finally, we show that RNA polymerase I transcription is required for efficient CENP-A assembly in meiosis, as well as centromere tethering to nucleoli.
Highlights
Centromeres are chromosomal loci where microtubules attach to ensure proper chromosome segregation at cell division
Quantitation of tubulin staining in Cenp-CZ3-4375/TM3 and cal12k32/TM3 spermatocytes revealed that both mutants had defective spindle morphologies in meiosis I and II compared with wild type (Fig. S1B), which was likely to be due to roles of CENP-C and CAL1 in centromere/kinetochore assembly
We have analysed the effects of mutations in the key centromere assembly factors, Cenp-C and cal1, on Drosophila male meiosis
Summary
Centromeres are chromosomal loci where microtubules attach to ensure proper chromosome segregation at cell division. CENP-A is assembled and maintained to ensure centromere propagation (Valente et al, 2012). Studies of the cell cycle timing of CENP-A assembly and the discovery of CENP-A-specific assembly factors have provided great insights into the mechanisms of CENP-A assembly in mitosis (Dunleavy et al, 2009; Foltz et al, 2009; Müller and Almouzni, 2014). Mechanisms of meiotic CENP-A assembly are emerging and differ from those of mitosis. In Drosophila males, CENP-A [ known as Centromere identifier (CID) – FlyBase] is assembled at meiotic prophase I and again during spermatid differentiation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
