CENPT siRNA – Centromere Protein T (Human)

The centromere is a specialized chromatin domain, present throughout the cell cycle, that acts as a platform on which the transient assembly of the kinetochore occurs during mitosis. All active centromeres are characterized by the presence of long arrays of nucleosomes in which CENPA (MIM 117139) replaces histone H3 (see MIM 601128). CENPT is an additional factor required for centromere assembly (Foltz et al., 2006 [PubMed 16622419]).[supplied by OMIM, Mar 2008]

CENPT: Component of the CENPA-NAC (nucleosome-associated) complex, a complex that plays a central role in assembly of kinetochore proteins, mitotic progression and chromosome segregation. The CENPA-NAC complex recruits the CENPA-CAD (nucleosome distal) complex and may be involved in incorporation of newly synthesized CENPA into centromeres. Part of a nucleosome- associated complex that binds specifically to histone H3- containing nucleosomes at the centromere, as opposed to nucleosomes containing CENPA. Component of the heterotetrameric CENP-T-W-S-X complex that binds and supercoils DNA, and plays an important role in kinetochore assembly. CENPT has a fundamental role in kinetochore assembly and function. It is one of the inner kinetochore proteins, with most further proteins binding downstream. Required for normal chromosome organization and normal progress through mitosis. Component of the CENPA-NAC complex, at least composed of CENPA, CENPC, CENPH, CENPM, CENPN, CENPT and MLF1IP/CENPU. The CENPA-NAC complex interacts with the CENPA-CAD complex, composed of CENPI, CENPK, CENPL, CENPO, CENPP, CENPQ, CENPR and CENPS. Part of a centromere complex consisting of CENPA, CENPT and CENPW. Part of a centromere complex consisting of histone H3, CENPT and CENPW. Interacts (via N-terminus) with the NDC80 complex (Probable). Component of a heterotetrameric CENP-T-W-S-X complex composed of APITD1/CENPS, STRA13/CENPX, CENPT and CENPW. Interacts directly with CENPW. Binds DNA. Belongs to the CENPT family. 3 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: DNA replication

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 16q22.1

Cellular Component: nucleoplasm; kinetochore; nucleus; cytosol; chromosome, pericentric region

Molecular Function: protein binding; DNA binding; protein heterodimerization activity

Biological Process: mitosis; nucleosome assembly; kinetochore assembly; DNA replication-independent nucleosome assembly at centromere; cell division; mitotic cell cycle; chromosome organization and biogenesis; chromosome segregation