New insights into how chromatin remodellers direct CENP-A to centromeres

Abstract

Centromeric nucleosomes contain the unique histone H3 variant centromere protein A (CENP-A). How CENP-A is specifically loaded onto centromeres and maintained is an active area of investigation and several SNF2 family chromatin remodellers have been implicated in this process. In this issue of The EMBO Journal, Gkikopolus et al (2011) demonstrate a novel function for the SWI/SNF complex in removal of Cse4 (CENP-A in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) from ectopic chromosomal locations. Here we highlight this finding and the role of different remodeling complexes in CENP-A targeting to centromeres. © 2011 European Molecular Biology Organization | All Rights Reserved.