Mammalian centromeres: DNA sequence, protein composition, and role in cellcycle progression

The centromere is a specialized region of the eukaryotic chromosome that is responsible for directing chromosome movements in mitosis and for coordina ting the progression of mitotic events at the crucial transition between me taphase and anaphase. In this review, we will focus on recent advances in t he understanding of centromere composition at the protein and DNA level and of the role of centromeres in sister-chromatid cohesion and mitotic checkp oint control. (C) 1999 Academic Press.