Fitzgerald-Hayes Research Lab:
Deciphering the Structure and Function of the Kinetochore

Our research group studies the S. cerevisiae centromere and kinetochore. The focus of our current work is the gene CSE4, which encodes a novel centromere-specific chromatin protein.
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Molly Fitzgerald-Hayes
: Visit Molly's homepage.

CSE4 was originally isolated in our lab in 1995 in a genetic screen for yeast mutants defective in chromosome segregation. The original mutant of CSE4 called cse4-1 causes temperature sensitive growth and chromosome missegregation (Stoler, Keith et al 1995).


Lab members: Meet the Lab members and learn about their research interests.

CSE4 encodes an essential protein containing a domain highly homologous to the histone fold domain (HFD) of the core histone protein, H3. We are using genetic, biochemical and molecular approaches to study Cse4p and thereby further our understanding of how the biomolecular machine at the centromere performs the critical process of chromosome segregation.

 

Lab Publications: Recent lab publications and links to their abstracts

 

Links of Interest:

NUCLEOSOME TOUR: Interactive presentation of a Standard Nucleosome by Yinhuai Chen. In order to see this presentation you must be using a Netscape browser and have the CHIME plugin.

Exploration and comparison of the S. cerevisiae nucleosome with a modeled Cse4p (centromeric) octamer by Kelcy J. Newell: Interactive Chime presentation in protein explorer (PIPE) in which the S. cerevisiae nucleosome crystal structure (1id3) is utilized as a template to produce a homology modeled centromeric octamer which replaces histone H3 with Cse4p.
Other Links:
 

Just a little Background:

CenModel.jpg (49945 bytes)Summary of past research on the S. cerevisiae centromere and kinetochore.