Background of the antigen
This gene product is a highly conserved protein associated with the centromere. It is a DNA-binding protein containing a helix loop helix DNA binding motif at the N-terminus, and a dimerization domain at the C-terminus. The DNA binding domain recognizes and binds a 17 bp sequence (CENPB box) in the centromeric satellite DNA. This protein is proposed to play an important role in the assembly of specific centromere structures in interphase nuclei and on mitotic chromosomes. It is also considered a major centromere autoantigen recognized by sera from patients with anti-centromere . (referenced from Entrez Gene)