MLF1 Interacting Protein (MLF1IP)

The centromere is a specialized chromatin domain, present throughout the cell cycle, that acts as a platform on which the transient assembly of the kinetochore occurs during mitosis. All active centromeres are characterized by the presence of long arrays of nucleosomes in which CENPA replaces histone H3. MLF1IP, or CENPU, is an additional factor required for centromere assembly. The deduced 418-amino acid protein has a calculated molecular mass of 46 kD. It has 2 bipartite nuclear localization signals, 2 nuclear receptor-binding motifs (LxxLL), 2 leucine zippers, 2 PEST residues, and several potential phosphorylation sites. Expression was highest in adult testis, thymus, bone marrow, and fetal liver, and lower in adult lymph node, placenta, colon, and spleen.