CHL4 is a protein involved in chromosome segregation [1]. It is a component of the central kinetochore which mediates the attachment of the centromere to the mitotic spindle [2]. CENP-N is one of the components that assembles onto the CENP-A-nucleosome-associated (NAC) centromere. The centromere, which is the basic element of chromosome inheritance, is epigenetically determined in mammals. CENP-A, the centromere-specific histone H3 variant, assembles an array of nucleosomes and it is this that seems to be the prime candidate for specifying centromere identity. CENP-A nucleosomes directly recruit a proximal CENP-A nucleosome associated complex (NAC) comprised of CENP-M, CENP-N and CENP-T, CENP-U(50), CENP-C and CENP-H. Assembly of the CENP-A NAC at centromeres is dependent on CENP-M, CENP-N and CENP-T. Additionally, there are seven other subunits which make up the CENP-A-nucleosome distal (CAD) centromere, CENP-K, CENP-L, CENP-O, CENP-P, CENP-Q, CENP-R and CENP-S, also assembling on the CENP-A NAC [4].

1: Identification and cloning of the CHL4 gene controlling chromosome segregation in yeast. Kouprina N, Kirillov A, Kroll E, Koryabin M, Shestopalov B, Bannikov V, Zakharyev V, Larionov V; Genetics 1993;135:327-341. PMID:8243998

2: Chl4p and iml3p are two new members of the budding yeast outer kinetochore. Pot I, Measday V, Snydsman B, Cagney G, Fields S, Davis TN, Muller EG, Hieter P; Mol Biol Cell. 2003;14:460-476. PMID:12589047

3: Phylogenetic and structural analysis of centromeric DNA and kinetochore proteins. Meraldi P, McAinsh AD, Rheinbay E, Sorger PK; Genome Biol. 2006;7:R23. PMID:16563186

4: The human CENP-A centromeric nucleosome-associated complex. Foltz DR, Jansen LE, Black BE, Bailey AO, Yates JR 3rd, Cleveland DW; Nat Cell Biol. 2006;8:458-469. PMID:16622419