A rapid method of genomic array analysis of scaffold/matrix attachment regions (S/MARs) identifies a 2.5-Mb region of enhanced scaffold/matrix attachment at a human neocentromere

Genome Res. 2003 Jul;13(7):1737-43. doi: 10.1101/gr.1095903.

Abstract

Human neocentromeres are fully functional centromeres that arise at previously noncentromeric regions of the genome. We have tested a rapid procedure of genomic array analysis of chromosome scaffold/matrix attachment regions (S/MARs), involving the isolation of S/MAR DNA and hybridization of this DNA to a genomic BAC/PAC array. Using this procedure, we have defined a 2.5-Mb domain of S/MAR-enriched chromatin that fully encompasses a previously mapped centromere protein-A (CENP-A)-associated domain at a human neocentromere. We have independently verified this procedure using a previously established fluorescence in situ hybridization method on salt-treated metaphase chromosomes. In silico sequence analysis of the S/MAR-enriched and surrounding regions has revealed no outstanding sequence-related predisposition. This study defines the S/MAR-enriched domain of a higher eukaryotic centromere and provides a method that has broad application for the mapping of S/MAR attachment sites over large genomic regions or throughout a genome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Centromere / genetics*
  • Chromosome Aberrations
  • Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial / genetics
  • Chromosomes, Artificial, P1 Bacteriophage / genetics
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 20 / genetics
  • Contig Mapping / methods
  • DNA / genetics
  • Fibroblasts / virology
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods*
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / methods
  • Matrix Attachment Region Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Metaphase / genetics
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / methods*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods

Substances

  • Matrix Attachment Region Binding Proteins
  • DNA