Gene of the Month – September: CENPA
CENPA, a histone protein H3 variant specific to centromeres, serves as an epigenetic marker and is crucial in defining the location of centromeres on chromosomes as well as their formation and function. Centromeres are specialized regions of chromosomes that are vital to ensure proper distribution of the genetic information on daughter cells in the process of cell division.
In their research, the authors of the study discovered higher levels of m6A modifications on centromeric RNA in cancerous cells compared to normal cells and demonstrated that CENPA binds specifically to m6A-modified centromeric RNA. This binding is essential for maintaining the association of CENPA with the centromere during the S phase of the cell cycle, which is critical for accurate chromosome segregation. The researchers showed that disruption of the interplay between CENPA and m6A-modified centromeric RNA compromises centromere integrity and impairs tumor growth. This mechanism might thus be a target for future novel strategies in cancer treatment.
Kang Z, Li R, Liu C, …, Liu J. m6A-modified cenRNA stabilizes CENPA to ensure centromere integrity in cancer cells. Cell. 2024 Sep 18:S0092-8674(24)00969-3. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.08.040. Epub ahead of print.