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Epigenetic Regulation of Centromere Formation and Kinetochore Function

One form of protein regulation is accomplished by post-translational modification (PTM). In order to test the importance one type of PTM, methylation, in chromosome segregation, we inhibited protein methylation for brief periods in G2 using the general methylation inhibitor adenosine dialdehyde (AdOx). Inhibiting methylation solely in late G2 leads to mitotic defects. We observed that several methylated histone residues; H3K9me3, H4K20me3 and H4K20me1, are predominantly affected by AdOx in G2. We show both that the kinetochore proteins are not affected and that the mitotic checkpoint is intact. Further, we observed structural defects and chromosome misalignment in mitotic cells. These results indicate that methylation events during late G2 operate to maintain and ensure the structural integrity of pericentromeric heterochromatin prior to mitosis. These results suggest that pericentromeric heterochromatin is required for the proper sensing of kinetochore tension and inactivation of the mitotic checkpoint. / Experimental Oncology

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:AEU.10048/548
Date11 1900
CreatorsHeit, Ryan
ContributorsHendzel, Michael (Oncology), Chan, Gordon (Oncology), Underhill, Alan (Oncology), Campbell, Robert (Chemistry)
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format4282766 bytes, application/pdf
RelationHeit, R., et al. (2009). http://jcs.biologists.org/cgi/content/full/122/16/2957, Heit, R. et al. (2006) http://rparticle.web-p.cisti.nrc.ca/rparticle/AbstractTemplateServlet?calyLang=eng&journal=bcb&volume=84&year=0&issue=4&msno=o06-080

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