INCENP

Inner centromere protein is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the INCENP is_associated_with::gene.

In mammalian cells, two broad groups of is_associated_with::centromere-interacting proteins have been described: constitutively binding is_associated_with::centromere proteins and 'passenger' (or transiently interacting) proteins. The constitutive proteins include is_associated_with::CENPA (centromere protein A), CENPB, is_associated_with::CENPC1, and CENPD.

The term 'passenger proteins' encompasses a broad collection of proteins that localize to the centromere during specific stages of the is_associated_with::cell cycle. These include CENPE; MCAK; KID; cytoplasmic dynein (e.g., is_associated_with::DYNC1H1); CliPs (e.g. is_associated_with::CLIP1); and CENPF/mitosin (is_associated_with::CENPF). The inner centromere proteins (INCENPs), the initial members of the passenger protein group, display a broad localization along chromosomes in the early stages of is_associated_with::mitosis but gradually become concentrated at centromeres as the cell cycle progresses into mid-metaphase. During is_associated_with::telophase, the proteins are located within the midbody in the intercellular bridge, where they are discarded after is_associated_with::cytokinesis.

INCENP is a regulatory is_associated_with::protein in the is_associated_with::chromosome passenger complex. It is involved in regulation of the is_associated_with::catalytic protein is_associated_with::Aurora B. It performs this function in association with two other is_associated_with::proteins - is_associated_with::Survivin and Borealin. These is_associated_with::proteins form a tight three-helical bundle. The is_associated_with::N-terminal domain of INCENP is the domain involved in formation of this three-helical bundle.

Interactions
INCENP has been shown to interact with is_associated_with::H2AFZ, is_associated_with::Survivin and is_associated_with::CDCA8. The ARK binding region has been found to be necessary and sufficient for binding to aurora-related is_associated_with::kinase. This interaction has been implicated in the coordination of is_associated_with::chromosome segregation with cell division in is_associated_with::yeast.