CENP-A/CENP-B uncoupling in the evolutionary reshuffling of centromeres in equids
Abstract Background While CENP-A is the epigenetic determinant of the centromeric function, the role of CENP-B, a centromeric protein binding a specific DNA sequence, the CENP-B-box, remains elusive. In the few mammalian species analyzed so far, the CENP-B box is contained in the major satellite rep...
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2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-025-03490-0 |
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| author | Eleonora Cappelletti Francesca M. Piras Marialaura Biundo Elena Raimondi Solomon G. Nergadze Elena Giulotto |
| author_facet | Eleonora Cappelletti Francesca M. Piras Marialaura Biundo Elena Raimondi Solomon G. Nergadze Elena Giulotto |
| author_sort | Eleonora Cappelletti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background While CENP-A is the epigenetic determinant of the centromeric function, the role of CENP-B, a centromeric protein binding a specific DNA sequence, the CENP-B-box, remains elusive. In the few mammalian species analyzed so far, the CENP-B box is contained in the major satellite repeat that is present at all centromeres, with the exception of the Y chromosome. We previously demonstrated that, in the genus Equus, numerous centromeres lack any satellite repeat. Results In four Equus species, CENP-B is expressed but does not bind the majority of satellite-based centromeres, or the satellite-free ones, while it is localized at several ancestral, now-inactive, centromeres. Centromeres lacking CENP-B are functional and recruit normal amounts of CENP-A and CENP-C. The absence of CENP-B is related to the lack of CENP-B boxes rather than to peculiar features of the protein itself. CENP-B boxes are present in a previously undescribed repeat which is not the major satellite bound by CENP-A. Comparative sequence analysis suggests that this satellite was centromeric in the equid ancestor, lost centromeric function during evolution, and gave rise to a shorter CENP-A bound repeat not containing the CENP-B box but enriched in dyad symmetries. Conclusions We propose that the uncoupling between CENP-B and CENP-A may have played a role in the extensive evolutionary reshuffling of equid centromeres. This study provides new insights into the complexity of centromere organization in a largely biodiverse world where the majority of mammalian species still have to be studied. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Genome Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-fb66a429b37843fcba3c17f12cdabe8d2025-02-09T12:39:24ZengBMCGenome Biology1474-760X2025-02-0126113110.1186/s13059-025-03490-0CENP-A/CENP-B uncoupling in the evolutionary reshuffling of centromeres in equidsEleonora Cappelletti0Francesca M. Piras1Marialaura Biundo2Elena Raimondi3Solomon G. Nergadze4Elena Giulotto5Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of PaviaUnit of Anatomic Pathology, IRCCS San Matteo Hospital FoundationDepartment of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of PaviaDepartment of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of PaviaDepartment of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of PaviaDepartment of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of PaviaAbstract Background While CENP-A is the epigenetic determinant of the centromeric function, the role of CENP-B, a centromeric protein binding a specific DNA sequence, the CENP-B-box, remains elusive. In the few mammalian species analyzed so far, the CENP-B box is contained in the major satellite repeat that is present at all centromeres, with the exception of the Y chromosome. We previously demonstrated that, in the genus Equus, numerous centromeres lack any satellite repeat. Results In four Equus species, CENP-B is expressed but does not bind the majority of satellite-based centromeres, or the satellite-free ones, while it is localized at several ancestral, now-inactive, centromeres. Centromeres lacking CENP-B are functional and recruit normal amounts of CENP-A and CENP-C. The absence of CENP-B is related to the lack of CENP-B boxes rather than to peculiar features of the protein itself. CENP-B boxes are present in a previously undescribed repeat which is not the major satellite bound by CENP-A. Comparative sequence analysis suggests that this satellite was centromeric in the equid ancestor, lost centromeric function during evolution, and gave rise to a shorter CENP-A bound repeat not containing the CENP-B box but enriched in dyad symmetries. Conclusions We propose that the uncoupling between CENP-B and CENP-A may have played a role in the extensive evolutionary reshuffling of equid centromeres. This study provides new insights into the complexity of centromere organization in a largely biodiverse world where the majority of mammalian species still have to be studied.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-025-03490-0CENP-BCentromereSatellite DNAKaryotype evolutionGenus Equus |
| spellingShingle | Eleonora Cappelletti Francesca M. Piras Marialaura Biundo Elena Raimondi Solomon G. Nergadze Elena Giulotto CENP-A/CENP-B uncoupling in the evolutionary reshuffling of centromeres in equids Genome Biology CENP-B Centromere Satellite DNA Karyotype evolution Genus Equus |
| title | CENP-A/CENP-B uncoupling in the evolutionary reshuffling of centromeres in equids |
| title_full | CENP-A/CENP-B uncoupling in the evolutionary reshuffling of centromeres in equids |
| title_fullStr | CENP-A/CENP-B uncoupling in the evolutionary reshuffling of centromeres in equids |
| title_full_unstemmed | CENP-A/CENP-B uncoupling in the evolutionary reshuffling of centromeres in equids |
| title_short | CENP-A/CENP-B uncoupling in the evolutionary reshuffling of centromeres in equids |
| title_sort | cenp a cenp b uncoupling in the evolutionary reshuffling of centromeres in equids |
| topic | CENP-B Centromere Satellite DNA Karyotype evolution Genus Equus |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-025-03490-0 |
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