Štiavnická Miriama, Keegan Rachel S, Dunleavy Elaine M
Centre for Chromosome Biology, Biomedical Science Building, University of Galway, Galway, H91W2TY, Ireland.
Chromosome Res. 2025 Apr 26;33(1):8. doi: 10.1007/s10577-025-09766-2.
During spermiogenesis, histones are removed from most genomic loci and are replaced by protamines in mature sperm nuclei. Yet, centromeres appear resistant to this process. We review the experimental evidence that the centromeric histone CENP-A is maintained in mature sperm nuclei, comparing human, bovine, mouse and fly species. We also recall how the detection of centromeres in mature sperm nuclei in the 1990's contributed to the isolation of the CENP-A protein and the eventual cloning of the human CENP-A gene. Further, based on more recent genetic studies carried out in flies and in mice, we discuss the inheritance and functional importance of paternal CENP-A and how it is complemented by maternal CENP-A to give rise to a healthy embryo. Finally, we raise some unanswered questions regarding the exclusive maintenance of CENP-A on sperm, the organisation of sperm centromeric chromatin and its importance for fertility and early embryo development.
在精子发生过程中，组蛋白从大多数基因组位点被去除，并在成熟精子细胞核中被鱼精蛋白取代。然而，着丝粒似乎对这一过程具有抗性。我们回顾了实验证据，即着丝粒组蛋白CENP-A在成熟精子细胞核中得以保留，并对人类、牛、小鼠和果蝇物种进行了比较。我们还回顾了20世纪90年代在成熟精子细胞核中检测到着丝粒是如何有助于CENP-A蛋白的分离以及人类CENP-A基因的最终克隆的。此外，基于最近在果蝇和小鼠中进行的遗传学研究，我们讨论了父本CENP-A的遗传和功能重要性，以及它如何由母本CENP-A补充以产生健康的胚胎。最后，我们提出了一些关于CENP-A在精子上的独特保留、精子着丝粒染色质的组织及其对生育能力和早期胚胎发育的重要性的未解决问题。
