Transient CENP-E-like kinetochore proteins in plants

Derived from candidate sequences of a barley EST database two proteins with homology to the coiled coil region of the human kinetochore protein (KP) CENP-E were generated and classified as centromere protein E-like 1 and 2 (Cpel1 and Cpel2). Specific antibodies produced against recombinant Cpel1 and Cpel2 proteins labeled the centromere on mitotic chromosomes of barley and field bean and recognized specifically proteins from nuclear/chromosomal protein extracts on immunoblots. No function was predicted for homologues of Cpel1 within the databases for Arabidopsis and rice genomes. However, the centromeric location of Cpel1 and Cpel2 suggests they may have a function within the kinetochore. Plant homologues to barley Cpel2 are N-type kinesins, suggesting that Cpel2 is functionally homologous to human CENP-E.