Chromatin structure and the inheritance of epigenetic information

Although it is widely accepted that the regulation of the chromatin landscape is pivotal to conveying epigenetic phenomena, it is still unclear how a defined chromatin domain is reproduced following replication and transmitted from one generation to another. Here we review multiple mechanisms that contribute to the inheritance of epigenetic information with emphasis on the recycling of old histones following replication, the requirement for a positive feedback loop, long-range gene interactions, and the complex network of trans-acting factors

Centromeres: unique chromatin structures that drive chromosome segregation

Fidelity during chromosome segregation is essential to prevent aneuploidy. The proteins and chromatin at the centromere form a unique site for kinetochore attachment and allow the cell to sense and correct errors during chromosome segregation. Centromeric chromatin is characterized by distinct chromatin organization, epigenetics, centromere-associated proteins and histone variants. These include the histone H3 variant centromeric protein A (CENPA), the composition and deposition of which have been widely investigated. Studies have examined the structural and biophysical properties of the centromere and have suggested that the centromere is not simply a ‘landing pad’ for kinetochore formation, but has an essential role in mitosis by assembling and directing the organization of the kinetochore