Inner centromere protein is a

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...

that in humans is encoded by the ''INCENP''

gene In biology, the word gene (from , ; "...Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a ba ...

. In mammalian cells, two broad groups of

centromere The centromere links a pair of sister chromatids together during cell division. This constricted region of chromosome connects the sister chromatids, creating a short arm (p) and a long arm (q) on the chromatids. During mitosis, spindle fibers a ...

-interacting proteins have been described: constitutively binding

proteins and 'passenger' (or transiently interacting) proteins. The constitutive proteins include CENPA (centromere protein A), CENPB, CENPC1, and CENPD. The term 'passenger proteins' encompasses a broad collection of proteins that localize to the centromere during specific stages of the

cell cycle The cell cycle, or cell-division cycle, is the series of events that take place in a cell that cause it to divide into two daughter cells. These events include the duplication of its DNA (DNA replication) and some of its organelles, and subs ...

. These include

CENPE Centromere-associated protein E is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''CENPE'' gene. Centromere-associated protein E is a kinesin-like motor protein that accumulates in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. Unlike other centromere-associated ...

; MCAK;

KID Kid, Kids, KIDS, and K.I.D.S. may refer to: Common meanings * Colloquial term for a child or other young person ** Also for a parent's offspring regardless of age * Engage in joking * Young goats * The goat meat of young goats * Kidskin, lea ...

; cytoplasmic dynein (e.g.,

DYNC1H1 Cytoplasmic dynein 1 heavy chain 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''DYNC1H1'' gene. Interactions DYNC1H1 has been shown to Protein-protein interaction, interact with PAFAH1B1 and CDC5L. Clinical relevance Mutations in this gene ha ...

); CliPs (e.g.

CLIP1 CAP-GLY domain containing linker protein 1, also known as CLIP1, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the ''CLIP1'' gene. Interactions CLIP1 has been shown to interact with IQGAP1, Mammalian target of rapamycin and PAFAH1B1 Platelet-a ...

); and CENPF/mitosin (

CENPF Centromere protein F is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''CENPF'' gene. It is involved in chromosome segregation during cell division. It also has a role in the orientation of microtubules to form cellular cilia. Function CENPF is pa ...

). The inner centromere proteins (INCENPs), the initial members of the passenger protein group, display a broad localization along chromosomes in the early stages of

mitosis In cell biology, mitosis () is a part of the cell cycle in which replicated chromosomes are separated into two new nuclei. Cell division by mitosis gives rise to genetically identical cells in which the total number of chromosomes is mainta ...

but gradually become concentrated at centromeres as the cell cycle progresses into mid-metaphase. During

telophase Telophase () is the final stage in both meiosis and mitosis in a eukaryotic cell. During telophase, the effects of prophase and prometaphase (the nucleolus and nuclear membrane disintegrating) are reversed. As chromosomes reach the cell poles, a ...

, the proteins are located within the midbody in the intercellular bridge, where they are discarded after

cytokinesis Cytokinesis () is the part of the cell division process during which the cytoplasm of a single eukaryotic cell divides into two daughter cells. Cytoplasmic division begins during or after the late stages of nuclear division in mitosis and meios ...

. INCENP is a regulatory

in the

chromosome A chromosome is a long DNA molecule with part or all of the genetic material of an organism. In most chromosomes the very long thin DNA fibers are coated with packaging proteins; in eukaryotic cells the most important of these proteins are ...

passenger

complex Complex commonly refers to: * Complexity, the behaviour of a system whose components interact in multiple ways so possible interactions are difficult to describe ** Complex system, a system composed of many components which may interact with each ...

. It is involved in regulation of the

catalytic Catalysis () is the process of increasing the rate of a chemical reaction by adding a substance known as a catalyst (). Catalysts are not consumed in the reaction and remain unchanged after it. If the reaction is rapid and the catalyst recyc ...

protein

Aurora B An aurora (plural: auroras or aurorae), also commonly known as the polar lights, is a natural light display in Earth's sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic). Auroras display dynamic patterns of bri ...

. It performs this function in association with two other

s -

Survivin Survivin, also called baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing 5 or BIRC5, is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the ''BIRC5'' gene. Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family. The survivin protein functions ...

and Borealin. These

proteins Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...

form a tight three-helical bundle. The

N-terminal The N-terminus (also known as the amino-terminus, NH2-terminus, N-terminal end or amine-terminus) is the start of a protein or polypeptide, referring to the free amine group (-NH2) located at the end of a polypeptide. Within a peptide, the ami ...

domain Domain may refer to: Mathematics *Domain of a function, the set of input values for which the (total) function is defined **Domain of definition of a partial function **Natural domain of a partial function **Domain of holomorphy of a function * Do ...

of INCENP is the domain involved in formation of this three-helical bundle.

Interactions

INCENP has been shown to

interact Advocates for Informed Choice, dba interACT or interACT Advocates for Intersex Youth, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization using innovative strategies to advocate for the legal and human rights of children with intersex traits. The organizati ...

with

H2AFZ Histone H2A.Z is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''H2AZ1'' gene. Histones are basic nuclear proteins that are responsible for the nucleosome structure of the chromosomal fiber in eukaryotes. Nucleosomes consist of approximately 146 bp ...

and

CDCA8 Borealin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''CDCA8'' gene. Function CDCA8 is a component of a chromosomal passenger complex required for stability of the bipolar mitotic spindle. Interactions CDCA8 has been shown to interact wi ...

. The ARK binding region has been found to be necessary and sufficient for binding to aurora-related

kinase In biochemistry, a kinase () is an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of phosphate groups from high-energy, phosphate-donating molecules to specific substrates. This process is known as phosphorylation, where the high-energy ATP molecule don ...

. This interaction has been implicated in the coordination of

chromosome segregation Chromosome segregation is the process in eukaryotes by which two sister chromatids formed as a consequence of DNA replication, or paired homologous chromosomes, separate from each other and migrate to opposite poles of the nucleus. This segregati ...

with

cell division Cell division is the process by which a parent cell (biology), cell divides into two daughter cells. Cell division usually occurs as part of a larger cell cycle in which the cell grows and replicates its chromosome(s) before dividing. In eukar ...

yeast Yeasts are eukaryotic, single-celled microorganisms classified as members of the fungus kingdom. The first yeast originated hundreds of millions of years ago, and at least 1,500 species are currently recognized. They are estimated to constitut ...

Interactions

References

Further reading