CTCF maintains centromere function and mitotic fidelity

In mitosis, the duplicated genome is aligned and accurately segregated between daughter nuclei. CTCF is a chromatin looping protein that localizes to the centromere in mitosis with an unknown role. We previously published data showing that CTCF constitutive knockdown causes mitotic failure, but the mechanism remained unknown. To determine the role of CTCF in mitosis, here, we used a CRISPR CTCF auxin inducible degron cell line for rapid degradation. CTCF degradation for 3 days resulted in increased failure of mitosis and decreased circularity in post-mitotic nuclei. Upon CTCF degradation, CENP-E was still recruited to the kinetochore and there was a low incidence of the polar chromosomes that occur upon CENP-E inhibition. However, immunofluorescence imaging of mitotic spindles revealed that CTCF degradation caused increased intercentromere distances and a wider and more disorganized metaphase plate, representing a disruption of key functions of the centromere. These results are similar to what is seen upon partial loss of cohesin, an established component of the centromere. Thus, we reveal that CTCF is a key maintenance factor of centromere function, successful mitosis, and post-mitotic nuclear shape.