Cell senescence is an irreversible growth arrest, and senescent cells display extensive changes in chromatin structure and chromosome organization. Studies have shown that when cells enter senescence, global transcription profile is dramatically changed. However, how cell senescence alters centromeric transcription has never been studied. In my studies, I used DNA damage drug doxorubicin to induce cell senescence and then examined centromeric transcription using real-time PCR. I also used a non-DNA damage approach, MDM2 inhibitor Nutlin-3, to induce cell senescence and then examined centromeric transcription. I found a similar pattern for centromere transcription in senescent cells induced by these two approaches. Therefore, I hypothesize that senescence cells might show a unique pattern of centromeric transcription, which could provide another useful marker to define cell senescence.
