Cenp-F (mitosin) is more than a mitotic marker

Abstract

Cenp-F (mitosin) is a large coiled-coil protein whose function has remained obscure since its identification a decade ago. It has been suggested that the protein plays a role in the kinetochore-mediated mitotic functions but until recently there was little evidence to support this postulation. Recent results from five laboratories have given insights on how Cenp-F may participate in the regulation of cell division. In this mini-review, we will summarize the current data regarding the mitotic tasks of Cenp-F as well as discuss how it is used as a proliferation marker of malignant cell growth in the clinic. Also, the protein's post-translational modification by farnesylation and potential contribution to cell cycle effects of farnesyl transferase inhibitors will be addressed.

Enhanced expression of centromere protein F predicts clinical progression and prognosis in patients with prostate cancer

“…Although CENPF is initially known for its association with the centromere-kinetochore complex and chromosomal segregation, previous studies have demonstrated that CENPF may play a role in the regulation of the mitosis and proliferation of malignant cell growth, which are mediated by protein interactions (13,(29)(30)(31)(32). Thus, the actual functional role of CENPF is more elusive and complex.…”

“…Centromere protein F (CENPF), at chromosome 1q41, is one of these 31 genes. It encodes a protein that acts as part of the centromere-kinetochore complex and is a component of the nuclear matrix during the G2 phase of interphase (13). CENPF is expressed in a cell cycle-dependent manner and is involved in chromosome segregation.…”

“…CENPF gradually accumulates during the cell cycle until it reaches peak levels in the G2/M phase and is rapidly degraded upon the completion of mitosis (14). The results of previous studies have demonstrated that CENPF may play a role in the regulation of cell division and may be used as proliferation marker of malignant cell growth in clinical practice due its localizations in the cell cycle (13)(14)(15)(16). Accumulating evidence has demonstrated the involvement of CENPF in various types of human cancer, such as breast cancer (17), hepatocellular carcinoma (18), colorectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (19), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (20), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (21), salivary gland tumors (22) and neuroblastic tumors (23).…”

Nuclear pore complex tethers to the cytoskeleton

“…Nup133 recruits CENP-F both at the kinetochore (Zuccolo et al, 2007) and the prophase NPC. CENP-F then recruits CENP-E and dynein at the kinetochore (Varis et al, 2006;Mao et al, 2010). Similarly, at the prophase NPC, CENP-F recruits the dynein/dynactin complex via NudE and NudEL.…”

Autoantibodies directed to centromere protein F in a patient with BRCA1 gene mutation

“…It functions in a cell cycle manner, present as a nuclear matrix protein during interphase then redistributing during early G2 of the cell cycle [1][2][3][4]. Since its discovery in 1993, a number of its functions have been elucidated, including involvement in centromere maturation, regulation of metaphase checkpoint and ensuring appropriate orientation of chromosomes [4][5][6][7][8][9]. Furthermore, it is involved in the attenuation of histone methylation and negative regulation of activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4), a transcription factor important for stress proliferation and differentiation of cells [1,10].…”