Structure of the CENP-B - DNA complex.

3D Model

This 3D model illustrates the formation of the centromere protein B (CENP-B) and the CENP-B box DNA complex. CENP-B consists of 4 regions: N-terminal (red), domain 1 (Blue), the linker loop (yellow) and domain 2 (cyans).

CENP-B exhibits DNA-binding activity and binds a 17 bp sequence (the CENP-B box) that can be found in every α-satellite repeat unit. Kinks developed in the DNA (green) were caused by the CENP-B complex with an overall bending angle of 59°. CENP-B box functions as a cis-element for nucleosome assembly and is necessary for minichromosomes formation.

The specia kink named the ‘phosphate bridging by an arginine‐rich helix’ can be seen at site 3.

Studies suggest that CENP-B induces nucleosome positioning and cooperate with CENP-A and CENP-C to form centromeric nucleosomes.

reference: EMBO J (2001)20:6612-6618