Chromosome and Chromatin Research, Department of Paediatrics, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Feb 7;109(6):1979-84. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1108705109. Epub 2012 Jan 20.
Transcription of the centromeric regions has been reported to occur in G1 and S phase in different species. Here, we investigate whether transcription also occurs and plays a functional role at the mammalian centromere during mitosis. We show the presence of actively transcribing RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) and its associated transcription factors, coupled with the production of centromere satellite transcripts at the mitotic kinetochore. Specific inhibition of RNAPII activity during mitosis leads to a decrease in centromeric α-satellite transcription and a concomitant increase in anaphase-lagging cells, with the lagging chromosomes showing reduced centromere protein C binding. These findings demonstrate an essential role of RNAPII in the transcription of α-satellite DNA, binding of centromere protein C, and the proper functioning of the mitotic kinetochore.
有报道称，在不同物种中，着丝粒区域的转录发生在 G1 和 S 期。在这里，我们研究了在有丝分裂过程中，转录是否也发生并在哺乳动物着丝粒中发挥功能作用。我们发现有活性的 RNA 聚合酶 II（RNAPII）及其相关转录因子存在，伴随着着丝粒卫星转录本在有丝分裂动粒上的产生。在有丝分裂过程中特异性抑制 RNAPII 活性会导致着丝粒α卫星转录减少，同时滞后细胞增加，滞后染色体上的着丝粒蛋白 C 结合减少。这些发现表明，RNAPII 在α卫星 DNA 的转录、着丝粒蛋白 C 的结合以及有丝分裂动粒的正常功能中起着至关重要的作用。
