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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 Apr 18.
Published in final edited form as: Dev Cell. 2016 Apr 18;37(2):136–147. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2016.03.021

Figure 6. Model for the Co-evolution of CENP-A L1 and CAL1 in the Context of Centromere Drive.

Figure 6

CENP-A centromeric deposition by CAL1 requires compatibility between the CAL1 N terminus and L1 (loop 1) of CENP-A. When centromere expansion occurs as a result of unequal crossover during meiosis, the larger and thus stronger centromere will be preferentially transmitted to the next generation (centromere drive) (Henikoff and Malik, 2002; Malik and Henikoff, 2002). To restore meiotic parity, positive selection of L1 mutations (Malik and Henikoff, 2001) weakens the ability of CAL1 to assemble CENP-A into chromatin, resulting in lower levels of CENP-A being deposited. The N terminus of CAL1 co-evolves, albeit at a slower rate, and re-establishes efficient CENP-A deposition, thereby maintaining centromere identity.