AUTHOR=Simon Lauriane , Voisin Maxime , Tatout Christophe , Probst Aline V. 

TITLE=Structure and Function of Centromeric and Pericentromeric Heterochromatin in Arabidopsis thaliana

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2015

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2015.01049

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2015.01049

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>The centromere is a specific chromosomal region where the kinetochore assembles to ensure the faithful segregation of sister chromatids during mitosis and meiosis. Centromeres are defined by a local enrichment of the specific histone variant CenH3 mostly at repetitive satellite sequences. A larger pericentromeric region containing repetitive sequences and transposable elements surrounds the centromere that adopts a particular chromatin state characterized by specific histone variants and post-translational modifications and forms a transcriptionally repressive chromosomal environment. In the model organism <italic>Arabidopsis thaliana</italic> centromeric and pericentromeric domains form conspicuous heterochromatin clusters called chromocenters in interphase. Here we discuss, using <italic>Arabidopsis</italic> as example, recent insight into mechanisms involved in maintenance and establishment of centromeric and pericentromeric chromatin signatures as well as in chromocenter formation.</p>