Immunodetection of tubulin and centromeric histone H3 (CENH3) proteins in Glycine species.

BACKGROUND

The centromeres appear as primary constrictions on monocentric metaphase chromosomes; where sister chromatids are held together and assemble the proteinaceous kitechore complex at which microtubule proteins attach during nuclear divisions for pulling sister chromatids to opposite cell poles. The movement of chromosomes is usually governed by structural proteins that are either species-specific or highly conserved, such as the centromere-specific histone H3 (CENH3) and tubulin proteins, respectively.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We aimed to detect these proteins across eight different Glycine species by an immunofluorescence assay using specific antibodies. Furthermore, with the α-tubulin antibody we traced the dynamics of microtubules during the mitotic cell cycle in Glycine max. With two-color immunofluorescence staining, we showed that both proteins interact during nuclear division.

CONCLUSIONS

Finally, we proved that in different diploid and tetraploid Glycine species CENH3 can be detected in functional centromeres with spatial proximity of microtubule proteins.