{
  "abstract": "Centromere identity is specified epigenetically by nucleosomes containing the histone H3 variant CENP-A, yet centromeres are almost invariably embedded within repetitive DNA, suggesting that underlying DNA sequences contribute to the organization of centromeric chromatin. In Drosophila melanogaster, CENP-A primarily occupies retroelement-rich islands flanked by simple satellite DNA, but their functional contribution remains unclear. Here, we delete the ~50-kb island Giglio from centromere 3 while preserving the flanking satellites and residual CENP-A chromatin. Despite removal of the DNA sequence associated with most centromeric CENP-A, centromere identity and overall CENP-A levels are preserved at the native locus, indicating that the island itself is not required for centromere identity. Instead, Giglio deletion increases variability in CENP-A chromatin organization, producing highly heterogeneous domain sizes and preferential redistribution of the CENP-A domain into the adjacent dodeca satellite. Together, these findings demonstrate that Giglio is dispensable for centromere identity but constrains the size and position of the CENP-A domain, establishing centromeric islands as key determinants of CENP-A domain architecture.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "University of Connecticut"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "P. Patel"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. Trasmondi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "B. G. Mellone"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/29sbzdavp3hda.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.10.08.757135",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.08.757135v1.full",
  "id": "29sbzdavp3hda",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.08.757135v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "genomics"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1312|Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221076666",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.08.757135v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-08",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/29sbzdavp3hda.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:26:52Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.10.08.757135",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.08.757135v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:genomics",
      "subfield": "genetics-genomics"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Centromeric islands constrain CENP-A domain size and position",
  "title_text": "Centromeric islands constrain CENP-A domain size and position",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:26:52Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/29sbzdavp3hda",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}