CENPA phospho S7
Developmental stage
Expression varies across the cell cycle, with high levels in G2 phase (at the mRNA level).
Domain
The CATD (CENPA targeting domain) region is responsible for the more compact structure of nucleosomes containing CENPA (PubMed:15282608). It is necessary and sufficient to mediate the localization into centromeres (PubMed:15282608, PubMed:7962047).
Function
Histone H3-like nucleosomal protein that is specifically found in centromeric nucleosomes (PubMed:11756469, PubMed:14667408, PubMed:15282608, PubMed:15475964, PubMed:15702419, PubMed:17651496, PubMed:19114591, PubMed:20739937, PubMed:27499292, PubMed:7962047, PubMed:9024683). Replaces conventional H3 in the nucleosome core of centromeric chromatin that serves as an assembly site for the inner kinetochore (PubMed:18072184). The presence of CENPA subtly modifies the nucleosome structure and the way DNA is wrapped around the nucleosome and gives rise to protruding DNA ends that are less well-ordered and rigid compared to nucleosomes containing histone H3 (PubMed:26878239, PubMed:27499292). May serve as an epigenetic mark that propagates centromere identity through replication and cell division (PubMed:15282608, PubMed:15475964, PubMed:20739937, PubMed:21478274, PubMed:26878239). Required for recruitment and assembly of kinetochore proteins, and as a consequence required for progress through mitosis, chromosome segregation and cytokinesis (PubMed:11756469, PubMed:14667408, PubMed:18072184, PubMed:23818633, PubMed:25556658, PubMed:27499292).
Post-translational modifications
Ubiquitinated (Probable). Interaction with herpes virus HSV-1 ICP0 protein, leads to its degradation by the proteasome pathway.
Trimethylated by NTMT1 at the N-terminal glycine after cleavage of Met-1. Methylation is low before incorporation into nucleosomes and increases with cell cycle progression, with the highest levels in mitotic nucleosomes.
Phosphorylated by CDK1 at Ser-68 during early mitosis; this abolishes association with chromatin and centromeres, prevents interaction with HJURP and thereby prevents premature assembly of CENPA into centromeres (PubMed:25556658). Dephosphorylated at Ser-68 by PPP1CA during late mitosis (PubMed:25556658). Phosphorylation of Ser-7 by AURKA and AURKB during prophase is required for localization of AURKA and AURKB at inner centromere and is essential for normal cytokinesis (PubMed:11756469, PubMed:14667408, PubMed:18239465). Initial phosphorylation during prophase is mediated by AURKA and is maintained by AURKB.
Poly-ADP-ribosylated by PARP1.
Sequence Similarities
Belongs to the histone H3 family.
Cellular localization
- Nucleus
- Chromosome
- Centromere
- Localizes exclusively to sites of kinetochore assembly in centromeres. Occupies a compact domain at the inner kinetochore plate stretching across 2 thirds of the length of the constriction but encompassing only one third of the constriction width and height (PubMed:19114591). Phosphorylation at Ser-68 during early mitosis abolishes association with chromatin and centromeres and results in dispersed nuclear location (PubMed:25556658).
Alternative names
Histone H3-like centromeric protein A, Centromere autoantigen A, Centromere protein A, CENP-A, CENPA