Co-evolving CENP-A and CAL1 Domains Mediate Centromeric CENP-A Deposition across Drosophila Species

Dev Cell. 2016 Apr 18;37(2):136-47. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2016.03.021.

Abstract

Centromeres mediate the conserved process of chromosome segregation, yet centromeric DNA and the centromeric histone, CENP-A, are rapidly evolving. The rapid evolution of Drosophila CENP-A loop 1 (L1) is thought to modulate the DNA-binding preferences of CENP-A to counteract centromere drive, the preferential transmission of chromosomes with expanded centromeric satellites. Consistent with this model, CENP-A from Drosophila bipectinata (bip) cannot localize to Drosophila melanogaster (mel) centromeres. We show that this result is due to the inability of the mel CENP-A chaperone, CAL1, to deposit bip CENP-A into chromatin. Co-expression of bip CENP-A and bip CAL1 in mel cells restores centromeric localization, and similar findings apply to other Drosophila species. We identify two co-evolving regions, CENP-A L1 and the CAL1 N terminus, as critical for lineage-specific CENP-A incorporation. Collectively, our data show that the rapid evolution of L1 modulates CAL1-mediated CENP-A assembly, suggesting an alternative mechanism for the suppression of centromere drive.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Centromere / metabolism*
  • Centromere Protein A
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Chromosome Segregation / physiology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila / metabolism*
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Histones / metabolism*
  • Mitosis / physiology

Substances

  • Cal1 protein, Drosophila
  • Centromere Protein A
  • Chromatin
  • Cid protein, Drosophila
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Histones