We have determined the genomic structure and organization of the mouse Cenpa and 
Cenpc genes. CENPA is a member of the histone H3-like proteins and is thought to 
replace histone H3 in centromeric nucleosomes. CENPC is a DNA-binding protein 
that is located at the inner kinetochore plate of active mammalian centromeres. 
The Cenpa cDNA encodes a 134-amino-acid product that is 70% identical and 84% 
similar to its human homolog. The mouse Cenpa gene is approximately 8 kb in 
length and contains five exons. Sequence analysis of the 5' DNA sequence of the 
gene revealed two consensus CAAT boxes, a putative TFIID-binding site, an 
Sp1-binding domain, and two cell cycle regulatory motifs, but no consensus TATA 
element. The mouse Cenpc gene spans 60 kb and contains 19 exons that range in 
size from 44 to 602 bp. Sequence analysis of the C+G-rich promoter region showed 
the presence of known promoter elements, including a CpG island, a CAAT box, and 
several GC boxes, but the absence of a consensus TATA element.