Small proteins, big impact: Why SUMO proteins are crucial for plant chromosomes

Cell division is essential for the correct transmission of genetic information. Each chromosome within a plant contains a centromere, a region that plays a central role in controlling chromosome movement during cell division. The kinetochore protein complex forms at the centromere and serves as an attachment site for microtubules. KINETOCHORE NULL2 (αKNL2) is a critical kinetochore protein that plays a central role in loading the centromeric histone H3 (CENH3) onto centromeres and in forming the kinetochore.