Histone H3-like nucleosomal protein that is specifically found in centromeric nucleosomes (     ). Replaces conventional H3 in the nucleosome core of centromeric chromatin that serves as an assembly site for the inner kinetochore . The presence of CENPA subtly modifies the nucleosome structure and the way DNA is wrapped around the nucleosome and gives rise to protruding DNA ends that are less well-ordered and rigid compared to nucleosomes containing histone H3 (, ). May serve as an epigenetic mark that propagates centromere identity through replication and cell division (  ). Required for recruitment and assembly of kinetochore proteins, and as a consequence required for progress through mitosis, chromosome segregation and cytokinesis (  , ).
Subcellular locations: Nucleus, Chromosome, Centromere
Localizes exclusively to sites of kinetochore assembly in centromeres. Occupies a compact domain at the inner kinetochore plate stretching across 2 thirds of the length of the constriction but encompassing only one third of the constriction width and height . Phosphorylation at Ser-68 during early mitosis abolishes association with chromatin and centromeres and results in dispersed nuclear location .