During cell division, chromosomes are duplicated and equally segregated into each daughter cell. The centromere, a specialized chromosomal structure, is responsible for correct segregation of chromosomes. The centromeres guide the assembly of the kinetochore, a multi-protein complex that links spindle microtubules to chromosomes during chromosome segregation. Mis-regulation of centromeres adversely affects chromosome segregation resulting in aneuploidy, or abnormal chromosome content, a condition found in more than 90% of all cancers. Centromeres are universally governed by the centromere-specific histone H3 variant, CENP-A. CENP-A replaces canonical histone H3 at centromeres, and provides the platform for the assembly of kinetochores. During replication of centromeric DNA, chromatin is disassembled ahead of the replication fork. Remarkably, after DNA replication, CENP-A is faithfully reassembled into nucleosomes of daughter centromeres but not elsewhere. How the parental CENP-A is faithfully recruited, i.e., inherited, to centromeric nucleosomes following DNA replication is completely unknown. In addition, mislocalization of CENP-A to non- centromeric regions has a devastating impact on chromosome segregation. How non-centromeric regions are protected from CENP-A mis-incorporation in normal cells also remains largely unexplored. Our long-term goal is to understand the molecular basis of the inheritance and specification of centromeres. Toward this goal, we propose to use fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe), a simple, genetically-tractable eukaryotic model organism. In fission yeast, many aspects of centromere regulation are evolutionarily conserved with humans. We have recently shown that proteins involved in DNA replication are required for faithful loading of CENP-A to centromeres.
In Aim 1, we will test the hypothesis that DNA replication components interact with the CENP-A protein to propagate centromere assembly on newly replicated DNA in cells preparing for cell division. In addition, our preliminary results indicate that, like in multi-cellular organisms, overexpression of CENP-A in S. pombe results in chromosome mis-segregation and the assembly of CENP-A at non-centromeric chromatin. Using this system, we have demonstrated that the N-terminal domain of CENP-A plays a key role in preventing the incorporation of CENP-A at non-centromeric regions.
In Aim 2, we will address the hypothesis that the N- terminal domain of CENP-A interacts with chromatin remodeling factors to protect non-centromeric chromatin from erroneously assembling CENP-A.
In Aim 3, we will perform two novel complementary genome-wide genetic screens to identify factors involved in 1) promoting the assembly of endogenous CENP-A at centromeres and 2) protecting non-centromeric chromatin from assembling CENP-A. Further characterization of these factors will provide new insights into how CENP-A is precisely targeted to centromeric chromatin. The proposed research will shed light on the processes governing chromosome segregation in human cells, and hold promise for a better understanding of cancer progression and the development of new cancer treatments.

Public Health Relevance

The centromere, a specialized chromosomal structure, is responsible for equal segregation of duplicated chromosomes into daughter cells during cell division. Errors in centromere function result in the inheritance of an abnormal number of chromosomes in dividing cells, a phenomenon observed in more than 90% of all cancers. The proposed study will advance our understanding of how perturbations in centromere regulation lead to cancer, and potentially open new avenues for the development of novel tools for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM106037-02
Application #
8842664
Study Section
Molecular Genetics A Study Section (MGA)
Program Officer
Carter, Anthony D
Project Start
2014-05-01
Project End
2019-04-30
Budget Start
2015-05-01
Budget End
2016-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$299,712
Indirect Cost
$109,712
Name
New York University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
041968306
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10012
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He, Haijin; Zhang, Shu; Wang, Danni et al. (2016) Condensin Promotes Position Effects within Tandem DNA Repeats via the RITS Complex. Cell Rep 14:1018-1024

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