Centromere proteins and chromosome inheritance: a complex affair

Centromeres and the associated kinetochores are involved in essential aspec ts of chromosome transmission, Recent advances have included the identifica tion and understanding of proteins that have a pivotal role in centromere s tructure, kinetochore formation, and the coordination of chromosome inherit ance with the cell cycle in several organisms. A picture is beginning to em erge of the centromere-kinetechore as a complex and dynamic structure with conservation of function at the protein level across diverse species.