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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Class II neocentromeres: a putative common neocentromere site in band 4q21.2.

Neocentromeres are rare functional centromeres formed within noncentromeric chromosomal regions. We report the finding of a neocentromere in a very rare class II analphoid chromosome. This neocentromere was detected prenatally in a fetus with the karyotype: 47,XY,del(4)(p15.3q21.1),+r(4)(p15.3q21.1).ish del(4)(D4S3360+,WHS+,D4Z1-,4qsubtel+),r(4)(D4S3360-,WHS-,D4Z1+,4qsubtel-)de novo. The fetus was missing one normal chromosome 4 but had a ring chromosome, consisting of the pericentromeric region of chromosome 4, and a deleted chromosome 4, the reciprocal product of the ring formation. In situ hybridization established that the chromosome 4 pericentromeric heterochromatin was located on the ring chromosome, while the Wolf-Hirschhorn critical region and chromosome 4 subtelomeric regions were present on the deleted chromosome. A C-band-negative constriction was observed in band 4q21.2 of the deleted chromosome 4, indicating that a neocentromere had been formed in this band, allowing stable segregation during cell division. This chromosome abnormality was detected in cultured amniocytes from a 20-week pregnancy presenting with intrauterine growth retardation and echogenic bowel. The pregnancy resulted in intrauterine death at 33-34 weeks. Despite the apparently balanced karyotype, the fetus is likely to have been phenotypically impaired due to disruption of genes by the neocentromere, rearrangement and ring chromosome formation. There has been one previous report of neocentromere formation in band 4q21; the observation presented here might refine a putative common neocentromeric site to sub-band 4q21.2.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Mosaic inv dup(8p) marker chromosome with stable neocentromere suggests neocentromerization is a post-zygotic event.

Marker chromosomes containing active human neocentromeres have been described in individuals where the chromosomes are non-mosaic, suggesting that they are mitotically stable, but also in individuals where there is mosaicism, raising the possibility of neocentromere instability. We report two independently ascertained individuals who are mosaic for a supernumerary marker chromosome, shown by reverse chromosome painting to have an 8p origin, resulting in mosaicism for tetrasomy 8p23.1-->pter in the patient. The markers have a primary constriction but show no detectable centromeric alpha-satellite DNA. The marker in Patient 1 demonstrated no centromere protein CENP-B binding, but associated with nine different functionally critical centromere proteins. Investigation of peripheral blood lymphocytes from this patient on five separate occasions over a 13-year period showed 23-46% mosaicism for the marker chromosome with no decrease in incidence. In vitro investigation of primary and secondary sub-clones of a lymphoblast cell line derived from the patient demonstrated 100% stability of the marker chromosome indicating that neocentromere instability is unlikely to be responsible for the mosaicism in the patient. This and other available data support a general model of neocentromerization as a post-zygotic event, irrespective of whether the supernumerary chromosome fragment has arisen during meiosis or post-fertilization at mitosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Genomic microarray analysis reveals distinct locations for the CENP-A binding domains in three human chromosome 13q32 neocentromeres.

Human neocentromeres are fully functional centromeres that provide mitotic stability to rearranged chromosomes that have separated from endogenous centromeres. A disproportionate number of neocentromeres has been observed in certain regions such as chromosome 3q (n=6), 15q (n=9) and 13q32 (n=7), suggesting that these regions contain DNA sequences with a high propensity for neocentromere formation. Therefore, we have addressed the role of primary DNA sequence in neocentromere formation by asking whether multiple independent neocentromeres that were cytologically localized to chromosome 13q32 are in fact localized to the same underlying genomic DNA. Analysis of four independent 13q32 neocentromeres using simultaneous FISH with ordered YAC probes and immunofluorescence with antibodies to CENP-C have localized three neocentromeres to a distal approximately 7 Mb domain in chromosome 13q32, and one to an overlapping proximal domain of approximately 7 Mb. DNA was obtained from three of these neocentromeres by CENP-A chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and used to screen ordered BACs using both a slot-blotted BAC pool approach and a genomic microarray that contiguously spans 13q31.3-13q33.1. The CENP-A binding domains from each of these neocentromeres was identified to distinct genomic locations of approximately 130, 215 and 275 kb within an approximately 6.5 Mb region. Thus, the lack of coincidence of these neocentromeres to the same underlying DNA sequence refutes the idea of a DNA sequence based neocentromere 'hotspot' in 13q32 and further supports the sequence-independent epigenetic formation of human neocentromeres. The screening of genomic microarrays with ChIP DNA provides a powerful method to identify mammalian DNA sequences associated with particular functional chromatin states.

Autoantigens↗
PubMed1997

Neocentromere-mediated chromosome movement in maize.

Neocentromere activity is a classic example of nonkinetochore chromosome movement. In maize, neocentromeres are induced by a gene or genes on Abnormal chromosome 10 (Ab10) which causes heterochromatic knobs to move poleward at meiotic anaphase. Here we describe experiments that test how neocentromere activity affects the function of linked centromere/kinetochores (kinetochores) and whether neocentromeres and kinetochores are mobilized on the spindle by the same mechanism. Using a newly developed system for observing meiotic chromosome congression and segregation in living maize cells, we show that neocentromeres are active from prometaphase through anaphase. During mid-anaphase, normal chromosomes move on the spindle at an average rate of 0.79 micron/min. The presence of Ab10 does not affect the rate of normal chromosome movement but propels neocentromeres poleward at rates as high as 1.4 micron/min. Kinetochore-mediated chromosome movement is only marginally affected by the activity of a linked neocentromere. Combined in situ hybridization/immunocytochemistry is used to demonstrate that unlike kinetochores, neocentromeres associate laterally with microtubules and that neocentromere movement is correlated with knob size. These data suggest that microtubule depolymerization is not required for neocentromere motility. We argue that neocentromeres are mobilized on microtubules by the activity of minus end-directed motor proteins that interact either directly or indirectly with knob DNA sequences.

Anaphase↗
PubMed2000

Molecular cytogenetic analysis of eight inversion duplications of human chromosome 13q that each contain a neocentromere.

Neocentromeres are fully functional centromeres that have arisen in previously noncentromeric chromosomal locations on rearranged chromosomes. The formation of neocentromeres results in the mitotic stability of chromosomal fragments that do not contain endogenous centromeres and that would normally be lost. Here we describe a unique collection of eight independent patient-derived cell lines, each of which contains a neocentromere on a supernumerary inversion duplication of a portion of human chromosome 13q. Findings in these patients reveal insight into the clinical manifestations associated with polysomy for portions of chromosome 13q. The results of FISH and immunofluorescent analysis of the neocentromeres in these chromosomes confirm the lack of alpha-satellite DNA and the presence of CENtromere proteins (CENP)-C, -E, and hMAD2. The positions of the inversion breakpoints in these chromosomes have been placed onto the physical map of chromosome 13, by means of FISH mapping with cosmid probes. These cell lines define, within chromosome 13q, at least three distinct locations where neocentromeres have formed, with five independent neocentromeres in band 13q32, two in band 13q21, and one in band 13q31. The results of examination of the set of 40 neocentromere-containing chromosomes that have thus far been described, including the 8 neocentromere-containing chromosomes from chromosome 13q that are described in the present study, suggest that chromosome 13q has an increased propensity for neocentromere formation, relative to some other human chromosomes. These neocentromeres will provide the means for testing hypotheses about sequence requirements for human centromere formation.

Aneuploidy↗
PubMed2005

Movement ability of rye terminal neocentromeres.

Rye terminal neocentromeres were analyzed in various aspects. Plants with and without neocentromeres were crossed to determine the possible genetic control on their formation. The segregation obtained in our work is consistent with the hypothesis of two trans-acting genes determining neocentric activity in such a way that individuals with no neocentromeres at all would carry all non-activating alleles, whereas one activating allele might permit the activation of a few neocentromeres. Individuals with four activating alleles would show the maximum frequency of neocentromeres per cell. Anti-tubulin immunolabelling was used to visualize the interaction between the neocentromeres and the microtubules. In most cases an end-on interaction between neocentromeres and microtubules was observed, but a few neocentromeres were observed free of them. Spikes were irradiated at early meiosis to determine whether acentric fragments carrying subtelomeric heterochromatin were able to behave as neocentromeres. In no case were acentric fragments observed to form an extension polewards as they did in whole chromosomes. Broken chromosomes joined by a thin thread of chromatin to the centromeric region

Centromere↗
PubMed2004

Plant neocentromeres: fast, focused, and driven.

Plant neocentromeres are large heterochromatic domains that associate with microtubules and move rapidly poleward during meiotic cell division. In maize, neocentromeres are part of a process that leads to the preferential recovery (meiotic drive) of knobs in progeny. These 'classical' plant neocentromeres differ from animal neocentromeres by their morphology, inability to mediate sister chromatid cohesion, and their rates of movement on the spindle. We provide a comprehensive review of classical neocentromeres with emphasis on their origin and mechanisms of motility. The data support the view that most, if not all, classical neocentromeres are the outcome of selection by meiotic drive. In addition, we compare and contrast neocentromere-mediated meiotic drive with a recently proposed meiotic drive model for centromere evolution.

Centromere↗
PubMed2002

Neocentromeres: role in human disease, evolution, and centromere study.

The centromere is essential for the proper segregation and inheritance of genetic information. Neocentromeres are ectopic centromeres that originate occasionally from noncentromeric regions of chromosomes. Despite the complete absence of normal centromeric alpha-satellite DNA, human neocentromeres are able to form a primary constriction and assemble a functional kinetochore. Since the discovery and characterization of the first case of a human neocentromere in our laboratory a decade ago, 60 examples of constitutional human neocentromeres distributed widely across the genome have been described. Typically, these are located on marker chromosomes that have been detected in children with developmental delay or congenital abnormalities. Neocentromeres have also been detected in at least two types of human cancer and have been experimentally induced in Drosophila. Current evidence from human and fly studies indicates that neocentromere activity is acquired epigenetically rather than by any alteration to the DNA sequence. Since human neocentromere formation is generally detrimental to the individual, its biological value must lie beyond the individual level, such as in karyotype evolution and speciation.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Neocentromeres in 15q24-26 map to duplicons which flanked an ancestral centromere in 15q25.

The existence of latent centromeres has been proposed as a possible explanation for the ectopic emergence of neocentromeres in humans. This hypothesis predicts an association between the position of neocentromeres and the position of ancient centromeres inactivated during karyotypic evolution. Human chromosomal region 15q24-26 is one of several hotspots where multiple cases of neocentromere emergence have been reported, and it harbors a high density of chromosome-specific duplicons, rearrangements of which have been implicated as a susceptibility factor for panic and phobic disorders with joint laxity. We investigated the evolutionary history of this region in primates and found that it contains the site of an ancestral centromere which became inactivated about 25 million years ago, after great apes/Old World monkeys diverged. This inactivation has followed a noncentromeric chromosomal fission of an ancestral chromosome which gave rise to phylogenetic chromosomes XIV and XV in human and great apes. Detailed mapping of the ancient centromere and two neocentromeres in 15q24-26 has established that the neocentromere domains map approximately 8 Mb proximal and 1.5 Mb distal of the ancestral centromeric region, but that all three map within 500 kb of duplicons, copies of which flank the centromere in Old World Monkey species. This suggests that the association between neocentromere and ancestral centromere position on this chromosome may be due to the persistence of recombinogenic duplications accrued within the ancient pericentromere, rather than the retention of "centromere-competent" sequences per se. The high frequency of neocentromere emergence in the 15q24-26 region and the high density of clinically important duplicons are, therefore, understandable in the light of the evolutionary history of this region.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

A novel chromatin immunoprecipitation and array (CIA) analysis identifies a 460-kb CENP-A-binding neocentromere DNA.

Centromere protein A (CENP-A) is an essential histone H3-related protein that constitutes the specialized chromatin of an active centromere. It has been suggested that this protein plays a key role in the epigenetic marking and transformation of noncentromeric genomic DNA into functional neocentromeres. Neocentromeres have been identified on more than two-thirds of the human chromosomes, presumably involving different noncentromeric DNA sequences, but it is unclear whether some generalized sequence properties account for these neocentromeric sites. Using a novel method combining chromatin immunoprecipitation and genomic array hybridization, we have identified a 460-kb CENP-A-binding DNA domain of a neocentromere derived from the 20p12 region of an invdup (20p) human marker chromosome. Detailed sequence analysis indicates that this domain contains no centromeric alpha-satellite, classical satellites, or other known pericentric repetitive sequence motifs. Putative gene loci are detected, suggesting that their presence does not preclude neocentromere formation. The sequence is not significantly different from surrounding non-CENP-A-binding DNA in terms of the prevalence of various interspersed repeats and binding sites for DNA-interacting proteins (Topoisomerase II and High-Mobility-Group protein I). Notable variations include a higher AT content similar to that seen in human alpha-satellite DNA and a reduced prevalence of long terminal repeats (LTRs), short interspersed repeats (SINEs), and Alus. The significance of these features in neocentromerization is discussed.

Alu Elements↗
PubMed1999

Neocentromere formation in a stable ring 1p32-p36.1 chromosome.

Neocentromeres are functional centromeres formed in chromosome regions outside the normal centromere domains and are found in an increasing number of mitotically stable human marker chromosomes in both neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells. We describe here the formation of a neocentromere in a previously undescribed chromosomal region at 1p32-->p36.1 in an oligospermic patient. Cytogenetic GTL banding analysis and the absence of detectable fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) signals using telomeric probes indicate the marker to be a ring chromosome. The chromosome is negative for CBG banding and is devoid of detectable centromeric alpha satellite and its associated centromere protein CENP-B, suggesting activation of a neocentromere within the 1p32-36.1 region. Functional activity of the neocentromere is shown by the retention of the ring chromosome in 97% of the patient's lymphocytes and 100% of his cultured fibroblasts, as well as by the presence of key centromere binding proteins CENP-E, CENP-F, and INCENP. These results indicate that in addition to CENP-A, CENP-C, and CENP-E described in earlier studies, neocentromere activity can further be defined by CENP-F and INCENP binding. Our evidence suggests that neocentromere formation constitutes a viable mechanism for the mitotic stabilisation of acentric ring chromosomes.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of a metastatic lung sarcomatoid carcinoma: 9p23 neocentromere and 9p23-p24 amplification including JAK2 and JMJD2C.

Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung (LSC) is a rare lung cancer characterized by an admixture of carcinoma and sarcoma components. Data concerning the genomic alterations of LSC are almost nonexistent. Here, we report on the first molecular cytogenetic characterization of a metastatic LSC. Cytogenetic and multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH) analyses showed a near-triploid karyotype with numerous structural aberrations and four to six small supernumerary marker chromosomes containing chromosome 9 sequences. Comparative genomic hybridization on arrays (array CGH) detected an amplification of 9p23 approximately p24.3 and gains of 1q11 approximately q23.3, 3q26.2 approximately q29, and 17q23.2 approximately q24.1. The 9p amplification was also detected in the primary tumor and another metastasis of the same patient, indicating it was a significant element in the pathogenesis of this LSC case. Complementary FISH analysis showed that the small supernumerary chromosomes were isochromosomes for 9p23 approximately p24.3. These isochromosomes were lacking alpha-satellite sequences although they were still stable after 55 passages in culture. As demonstrated by immunostaining with anti-centromere antibodies, they contained a functional centromere. So-called analphoid "neocentromeres" are rare and have been mainly described in constitutional abnormal karyotypes. This case is the third description of the identification of neocentromeres in cancer, (i.e. well-differentiated liposarcoma and acute myeloid leukemia), and is the first one in a carcinoma. Our results suggest that the 9p23 neocentromere of this case of LSC might be similar to a 9p23 neocentromere previously identified in two constitutional cases. The frequency of neocentromere formation in solid tumors may indeed be underestimated and may have a significant implication in chromosomal instability in tumor cells.

Aneuploidy↗
PubMed2004

Chromosomal dynamics of human neocentromere formation.

Neocentromeres are rare human chromosomal aberrations where a new centromere has formed in a previously non-centromeric location. The emergence of new centromeres on a chromosome that already contains an endogenous centromere would be a highly deleterious event which would lead to dicentricity and mitotic instability. Nonetheless, neocentromere formation appears to provide a mechanism for the acquisition of a new centromere. Neocentromeres are most often observed on chromosomal arm fragments that have separated from an endogenous centromere, and therefore actually lead to mitotic stability of what would have been an acentric fragment. Neocentromeres have recently also been observed on apparently unrearranged chromosomes where the endogenous centromere has been inactivated. Furthermore, the process of centromere repositioning during primate chromosomal evolution may depend on the acquisition and subsequent fixation of neocentromeres. This remarkable plasticity in the position of centromeres has important implications for human cytogenetics and chromosome evolution, and provides an opportunity to further our understanding of the process of centromere formation and structure.

Centromere↗
PubMed2003

Centromeric chromatin pliability and memory at a human neocentromere.

We show that Trichostatin A (TSA)-induced partial histone hyperacetylation causes a unidirectional shift in the position of a previously defined binding domain for the centromere-specific histone H3 homologue CENP-A at a human neocentromere. The shift of approximately 320 kb is fully reversible when TSA is removed, but is accompanied by an apparent reduction in the density of CENP-A per unit length of genomic DNA at the neocentromere. TSA treatment also instigates a reversible abolition of a previously defined major domain of differentially delayed replication timing that was originally established at the neocentromeric site. None of these changes has any measurable deleterious effects on mitosis or neocentromere function. The data suggest pliability of centromeric chromatin in response to epigenetic triggers, and the non-essential nature of the regions of delayed replication for centromere function. Reversibility of the CENP-A-binding position and the predominant region of delayed replication timing following removal of TSA suggest strong memory at the original site of neocentromeric chromatin formation.

Acetylation↗
PubMed2000

The 10q25 neocentromere and its inactive progenitor have identical primary nucleotide sequence: further evidence for epigenetic modification.

We have previously localized the core centromere protein-binding domain of a 10q25.2-derived neocentromere to an 80-kb genomic region. Detailed analysis has indicated that the 80-kb neocentromere (NC) DNA has a similar overall organization to the corresponding region on a normal chromosome 10 (HC) DNA, derived from a genetically unrelated CEPH individual. Here we report sequencing of the HC DNA and its comparison to the NC sequence. Single-base differences were observed at a maximum rate of 4.6 per kb; however, no deletions, insertions, or other structural rearrangements were detected. To investigate whether the observed changes, or subsets of these, might be de novo mutations involved in neocentromerization (i.e., in committing a region of a chromosome to neocentromere formation), the progenitor DNA (PnC) from which the NC DNA descended, was cloned and sequenced. Direct comparison of the PnC and NC sequences revealed 100% identity, suggesting that the differences between NC and HC DNA are single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and that formation of the 10q25.2 NC did not involve a change in DNA sequence in the core centromere protein-binding NC region. This is the first study in which a cloned NC DNA has been compared directly with its inactive progenitor DNA at the primary sequence level. The results form the basis for future sequence comparison outside the core protein-binding domain, and provide direct support for the involvement of an epigenetic mechanism in neocentromerization.

Alleles↗
PubMed2000

Prenatal molecular cytogenetic diagnosis of partial tetrasomy 10p due to neocentromere formation in an inversion duplication analphoid marker chromosome.

Neocentromeres are fully functional centromeres found on rearranged or marker chromosomes that have separated from endogenous centromeres. Neocentromeres often result in partial tri- or tetrasomy because their formation confers mitotic stability to acentric chromosome fragments that would normally be lost. We describe the prenatal identification and characterization of a de novo supernumerary marker chromosome (SMC) containing a neocentromere in a 20-wk fetus by the combined use of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). GTG-banding of fetal metaphases revealed a 47,XY,+mar karyotype in 100% of cultured amniocytes; parental karyotypes were both normal. Although sequential tricolor FISH using chromosome-specific painting probes identified a chromosome 10 origin of the marker, a complete panel of chromosome-specific centromeric satellite DNA probes failed to hybridize to any portion of the marker. The presence of a neocentromere on the marker chromosome was confirmed by the absence of hybridization of an all-human-centromere alpha-satellite DNA probe, which hybridizes to all normal centromeres, and the presence of centromere protein (CENP)-C, which is associated specifically with active kinetochores. Based on CGH analysis and FISH with a chromosome 10p subtelomeric probe, the marker was found to be an inversion duplication of the distal portion of chromosome 10p. Thus, the proband's karyotype was 47,XY,+inv dup(10)(pter-->p14 approximately 15::p14 approximately 15-->neo-->pter), which is the first report of partial tetrasomy 10p resulting from an analphoid marker chromosome with a neocentromere. This study illustrates the use of several molecular strategies in distinguishing centric alphoid markers from neocentric analphoid markers.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Trisomy 20p resulting from inverted duplication and neocentromere formation.

Normal human centromeres contain large tandem arrays of alpha-satellite DNA of varying composition and complexity. However, a new class of mitotically stable marker chromosomes which contain neocentromeres formed from genomic regions previously devoid of centromere activity was described recently. These neocentromeres are fully functional yet lack the repeat sequences traditionally associated with normal centromere function. We report here a supernumerary marker chromosome derived from the short arm of chromosome 20 in a patient with manifestations of dup(20p) syndrome. Detailed cytogenetic, FISH, and polymorphic microsatellite analyses indicate the de novo formation of the marker chromosome during meiosis or early postzygotically, involving an initial chromosome breakage at 20p11.2, followed by an inverted duplication of the distal 20p segment due to rejoining of sister chromatids and the activation of a neocentromere within 20p12. This inv dup(20p) marker chromosome lacks detectable centromeric alpha-satellite and pericentric satellite III sequences, or centromere protein CENP-B. Functional activity of the neocentromere is evidenced by its association with 5 different, functionally critical centromere proteins: CENP-A, CENP-C, CENP-E, CENP-F, and INCENP. Formation of a neocentromere on human chromosome 20 has not been reported previously and in this context represents a new mechanism for the origin of dup(20p) syndrome.

Centromere↗
PubMed2026

Neocentromeres fail to maintain DNA methylation boundaries, driving CENP-A drift, instability, and chromosome missegregation.

Centromere identity is specified by CENP-A, a histone H3 variant that epigenetically defines centromere position. How CENP-A is maintained at one location in rapidly evolving centromeric DNA is unknown. Using single-cell-derived clones of human cell lines, we demonstrate heterogeneity in CENP-A position within cell populations at neocentromeres and a native centromere. CENP-A heterogeneity is accompanied by heterogeneous DNA methylation patterns, with DNA methylation shifting according to CENP-A position. We demonstrate centromere epigenetic plasticity over extended proliferation, with native centromeres maintaining stable DNA methylation boundaries, but neocentromeres exhibiting DNA methylation instability, boundary loss, and increased missegregation. Finally, we show that neocentromeres are more sensitive to DNA methylation inhibition than native centromeres, and that this inhibition is accompanied by expanded CENP-A-enriched domains and increased missegregation. This study supports a role for DNA methylation boundaries in maintaining centromere position, stability, and function and highlights the intrinsic instability of DNA methylation at neocentromeres.

CENP-A↗