CENP-A and centromere evolution in equids

作者：Eleonora Cappelletti, Francesca M. Piras, Marialaura Biundo, Rebecca R. Bellone, Carrie J. Finno, Ted Kalbfleisch, Jessica L. Petersen, Solomon G. Nergadze, Elena Giulotto · 发表于：Chromosome Research · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1007/s10577-025-09773-3 · 被引用次数：5 · 研究领域：Chromosomal and Genetic Variations、Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies、Plant Genetic and Mutation Studies

While the centromeric function is conserved and epigenetically specified by CENP-A, centromeric DNA, typically composed of satellite repeats, is highly divergent and rapidly evolving. In the species of the genus Equus (horses, asses and zebras), also known as equids, the numerous centromeres devoid of satellite repeats enabled us to carry out molecular analysis of centromeric chromatin establishing a unique model system for mammalian centromere biology. In this review, after a brief description of the rapid evolution of equids, we outline one of our most relevant initial discoveries: the position of CENP-A binding domains is variable among individuals giving rise to epialleles which are inherited as Mendelian traits. This positional variability was recently confirmed in human centromeres whose repetitive DNA organization could be analyzed thanks to telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome assemblies. Another unexpected observation was that, in equids, CENP-B does not bind the centromeric core and is uncoupled from CENP-A and CENP-C. CENP-B is absent from the majority of chromosomes while the CENP-B binding DNA sequence (CENP-B box) is comprised within a satellite that is localized at pericentromeric or terminal positions. Finally, comparative molecular and cytogenetic analyses of satellite-free centromeres revealed that the birth of neocentromeres during the evolution of this genus occurred through two alternative mechanisms: centromere repositioning and Robertsonian fusion. These e...