CENPQ (centromere protein Q) is a critical component of the CENP-O complex (CENP-O/P/Q/U) located at the kinetochore, a multi-protein structure essential for chromosome 6 1. CENPQ functions as a nucleosome distal (CAD) complex protein that plays a central role in chromosome 6—the alignment of chr6 at the spindle equator during mitosis 2. The protein coordinates two distinct congression mechanisms: it recruits CENP-E motor proteins to kinetochores and independently promotes microtubule depolymerization-coupled pulling, both functions regulated by phosphorylation at serine 50 2. Additionally, CENPQ mediates recruitment of polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) and the CENP-O complex to kinetochores 2. Beyond its canonical mitotic role, CENPQ expression is dysregulated in multiple cancers. High CENPQ expression correlates with poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma 34, and CENPQ appears upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma prognostic models 5. CENPQ variants are associated with stroke outcomes 6 and contribute to schizophrenia risk through effects on homocysteine metabolism 7. The structural details of CENPQ's interactions within the CENP-O class complex have been clarified, with C-terminal CENPQ regions critical for complex assembly 8.