CENP-T Inhibitors

CENP-T inhibitors are a class of compounds that specifically target and inhibit the function of centromere protein T (CENP-T), a crucial component of the kinetochore assembly involved in chromosome segregation during mitosis. CENP-T plays a key role in the recruitment and attachment of microtubules to the kinetochore, forming a crucial bridge between centromeric chromatin and the spindle microtubules. It is part of the CCAN (Constitutive Centromere-Associated Network) and directly interacts with other centromere proteins such as CENP-C and CENP-A. By inhibiting CENP-T, these compounds interfere with the proper formation of the kinetochore, disrupting the chromosome alignment on the metaphase plate and hindering accurate segregation of chromosomes during cell division.

Research on CENP-T inhibitors provides valuable insight into the molecular mechanisms of kinetochore assembly and the role of CENP-T in ensuring the fidelity of chromosome segregation. Inhibitors of CENP-T are utilized in experimental studies to explore the detailed architecture of the kinetochore and its interactions with spindle fibers. By specifically blocking CENP-T activity, scientists can examine the subsequent defects in chromosome movement and attachment during mitosis. Such inhibition often results in spindle checkpoint activation, a protective mechanism that delays cell division to prevent chromosome missegregation. Through these studies, CENP-T inhibitors help researchers deepen their understanding of the coordination between centromeric proteins and spindle dynamics, shedding light on how errors in these processes can lead to genomic instability, missegregation of chromosomes, and cell cycle disruptions.