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The genetic and epigenetic landscape of the Arabidopsis centromeres

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posted on 2023-06-10, 01:57 authored by Matthew Naish, Michael Alonge, Piotr Wlodzimierz, Andrew J Tock, Bradley W Abramson, Anna Schmücker, Terezie Mandáková, Bhagyshree Jamge, Christophe Lambing, Pallas Kuo, Natasha Yelina, Nolan Hartwick, Kelly Colt, Lisa M Smith, Alexandros BousiosAlexandros Bousios, others
Centromeres attach chromosomes to spindle microtubules during cell division and, despite this conserved role, show paradoxically rapid evolution and are typified by complex repeats. We used long-read sequencing to generate the Col-CEN Arabidopsis thaliana genome assembly that resolves all five centromeres. The centromeres consist of megabase-scale tandemly repeated satellite arrays, which support CENTROMERE SPECIFIC HISTONE H3 (CENH3) occupancy and are densely DNA methylated, with satellite variants private to each chromosome. CENH3 preferentially occupies satellites that show the least amount of divergence and occur in higher-order repeats. The centromeres are invaded by ATHILA retrotransposons, which disrupt genetic and epigenetic organization. Centromeric crossover recombination is suppressed, yet low levels of meiotic DNA double-strand breaks occur that are regulated by DNA methylation. We propose that Arabidopsis centromeres are evolving through cycles of satellite homogenization and retrotransposon-driven diversification.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Science

ISSN

0036-8075

Publisher

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Issue

6569

Volume

374

Event location

United States

Department affiliated with

  • Biochemistry Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2021-12-07

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2021-12-07

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2021-12-07

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