Human centromeres and neocentromeres show identical distribution patterns of > 20 functionally important kinetochore-associated proteins

Abstract

Using combined immunofluorescence and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis we have extensively characterized the proteins associating with two different homologue human neocentromeres at interphase and prometaphase/metaphase, and compared these directly with those found with normal human centromeres. Antisera to CENP-A, CENP-B, CENP-C, CENP-E, CENP-F, INCENP, CLIP-170, dynein, dynactin subunits p150(Glued) and Arp1, MCAK, Tsg24, p55CDC, HZW10, HBUB1, HBUBR1, BUB3, MAD2, ERK1, 3F3/2, topoisomerase II and a murine HP1 homologue, M31, were used in immunofluorescence experiments in conjunction with FISH employing specific DNA probes to clearly identify neocentromeric DNA. We found ..