CENH3 — Brassica juncea

Summary

BJUB02G00740S, designated CENH3 (also known as BjCENH3, BjHTR12, or HTR12) on Brassica juncea chromosome B02, encodes a centromere-specific histone H3 variant (CENP-A) belonging to the histone-fold superfamily. The protein possesses methylated DNA binding, nucleosomal DNA binding, chromatin binding, and structural constituent of chromatin activities, along with ubiquitin-protein transferase activity. CENH3 is associated with centromeric silencing, kinetochore assembly, meiotic chromosome separation, CENP-A-containing chromatin assembly, hypermethylation of CpG islands, double fertilization, and cell division. It localizes to the centromere complex, kinetochore, chromocenter, nucleolus, plastid, and nucleus. The gene has been linked to relative root length, root thickness, flowering time, haploid induction, clonal reproduction, and short stature with altered leaf morphology and male sterility. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to centromere identity, haploid production, uniparental genome elimination, and meiotic genome stability.