Searching for a Common Centromeric Structural Motif: Drosophila Centromeric Satellite DNAs Show Propensity to form Telomeric-Like Unusual DNA Structures |
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Authors: | José P Abad Alfredo Villasante |
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Institution: | (1) Centro de Biologia Molecular ‘Severo Ochoa’ (CSIC-UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain;(2) Centro de Biologia Molecular ‘Severo Ochoa’ (CSIC-UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain |
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Abstract: | The molecular basis of centromere formation in a particular chromosomal region is not yet understood. In higher eukaryotes,
no specific DNA sequence is required for the assembly of the kinetochore, but similar centromeric chromatins are formed on
different centromere DNA sequences. Although epigenesis has been proposed as the main mechanism for centromere specification,
DNA recognition must also play a role. Through the analysis of Drosophilacentromeric DNA sequences, we found that dodeca satellite and 18HT satellite are able to form unusual DNA structures similar
to those formed by telomeric sequences. These findings suggest the existence of a common centromeric structural DNA motif
which we feel merits further investigation.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | centromere heterochromatin non B-DNA structures Drosophila |
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