Table 1 Function of centromere proteins

CENP-A

CENP-A can transform centromeres into complexes of DNA and proteins, ensuring that centromeres remain intact during cell division. The heredity of centromeres needs the help of the transportation of CENP-A nucleosomes to retain the epigenetic markers on each sisters’s chromatid, thus ensuring that the human body has almost the same genome.

Li Y, et al.2011

CENP-B

CENP-B mainly binds to the α - satellite DNA sequence of the centromeres and participates in the assembly of the centromeres. CENP-B is involved in regulating some cellular processes, such as gene expression, DNA replication, and DNA repair. In addition, new research suggests that CENP-B may be involved in the development of cancer.

Wang X, et al.2023

CENP-C

The CCAN is a subcomplex of centromeres that binds to centromeres chromatin and provides a platform for centromeres assembly. The CCAN protein CENP-C is the central hub of centromere/kinetochore tissue. CENP-C promotes centromere/kinetochore assembly.

Hara M, et al.2023

CENP-E

CENP-E is only expressed in cells undergoing mitosis and is an essential protein in the kinetochore complex that helps regulate appropriate chromosome segregation and cell division.

Chung V, et al.2012

CENP-F

CENP-F is a cell cycle associated nuclear antigen. When bound to nuclear proteins such as CENP-E, cytoplasmic motor proteins, MAD1, MAD2, Bub1, and BubR1, CENP-F acts as a subunit of protein complexes responsible for kinetochore assembly, microtubule attachment, microtubule dynamics, and spindle checkpoint signals during mitosis.

Dai Y, et al.2013

CENP-H

CENP-H is a constitutive centromere component located at the centromeres throughout the cell cycle. Due to its co localization with CENP-A and CENP-C, CENP-H is considered an internal centromeres protein. CENP-H regulates the growth of cancer cells through the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

Lu G, et al.2017

CENP-K

CENP-K is a component of the kinetochore, located on the inner plate of the centromeres, which facilitates the effective assembly of CENP-A with other centromere components. CENP-K promotes cell proliferation, cell migration, and tumorigenicity.

Wang J, et al.2019

CENP-L

CENP-L is involved in the mitotic process of eukaryotic cells and the development of various types of cancer. CENP-L regulates the proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and glycolysis of cancer cells.

Cui Z, et al.2021

CENP-M

CENP-M encodes a dynamic protein that regulates chromosome separation during cell division. CENP-M promotes cancer cell proliferation and metastasis.

Ren H, et al.2021

CENP-N

CENP-N is related to cell cycle, DNA damage and repair. CENP-N promotes cancer cell growth.

Wang Q, et al.2021

CENP-O

CENP-O is crucial for cell cycle checkpoint signaling during spindle formation, chromosome segregation, and mitosis, and its increased expression is associated with poor cancer prognosis. CENP-O is also associated with cancer chemotherapy resistance.

He K, et al.2022

CENP-U

CENP-U is a centromere binding protein that plays an important role in cell mitosis and cell cycle processes, participating in kinetochore assembly, chromosome separation, and mitosis. CENP-U deficiency can lead to chromosomal attachment defects during mitosis.

Liu Y, et al.2022

CENP-W

CENP-W is a member of CCNA involved in mitosis and plays a vital role in ensuring the accurate assembly of sisters chromosomes before division. CENP-W is related to cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion.

Zhou Y, et al.2021

ZWINT

The human ZW10 interacting kinetochore protein (ZWINT1) and Zeste White 10 (ZW10) are located at the same site on the kinetochore. ZWINT participates in mediating precise chromosome segregation during mitosis. ZWINT is upregulated in various cancers and is associated with poor prognosis.

Lin T, et al.2021