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Cohesin and chromatin organisation
Vlad C Seitan1, Matthias Merkenschlager
1Lymphocyte Development Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK. vlad.seitan@csc.mrc.ac.uk
Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
|December 14, 2011
Summary
Cohesin is crucial for organizing chromosomes during cell division by holding sister chromatids together. Emerging research highlights its vital role in managing chromatin organization and gene expression during the interphase stage of the cell cycle.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cohesin is a protein complex essential for chromosome structure.
- It plays a key role in holding sister chromatids together during mitosis and meiosis.
- Recent studies suggest additional functions in interphase.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the multifaceted roles of cohesin beyond its established function in chromosome segregation.
- To investigate the involvement of cohesin in chromatin organization during interphase.
- To understand the impact of cohesin on gene expression regulation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cohesin's functions.
- Analysis of experimental data on cohesin's role in interphase.
- Comparative studies of cohesin in different cell cycle stages.
Main Results:
- Cohesin's established role in sister chromatid cohesion during mitosis and meiosis is confirmed.
- Evidence supports cohesin's significant involvement in higher-order chromatin organization in interphase.
- Cohesin's influence on the regulation of specific gene expression patterns in interphase is demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- Cohesin is a dynamic protein complex with critical functions throughout the entire cell cycle.
- Its roles extend from ensuring accurate chromosome segregation to actively participating in chromatin architecture and gene regulation.
- Further research into cohesin's interphase functions may reveal new therapeutic targets.
Related Concept Videos
02:20Cohesins
Cohesin protein complexes are a molecular glue that holds two sister chromatids together. They play an important role both in mitosis and meiosis. In mitosis, all cohesin complexes present on the chromosomes are removed before the start of the anaphase stage.
Cohesin complexes in Meiotic Division
Meiosis involves two distinct rounds of chromosomal segregation and cell divisions— Meiosis I followed by Meiosis II – producing four daughter cells. Meiosis I includes the separation of homologous...
Cohesin complexes in Meiotic Division
Meiosis involves two distinct rounds of chromosomal segregation and cell divisions— Meiosis I followed by Meiosis II – producing four daughter cells. Meiosis I includes the separation of homologous...
02:20Cohesins
Cohesin protein complexes are a molecular glue that holds two sister chromatids together. They play an important role both in mitosis and meiosis. In mitosis, all cohesin complexes present on the chromosomes are removed before the start of the anaphase stage.
Cohesin complexes in Meiotic Division
Meiosis involves two distinct rounds of chromosomal segregation and cell divisions— Meiosis I followed by Meiosis II – producing four daughter cells. Meiosis I includes the separation of homologous...
Cohesin complexes in Meiotic Division
Meiosis involves two distinct rounds of chromosomal segregation and cell divisions— Meiosis I followed by Meiosis II – producing four daughter cells. Meiosis I includes the separation of homologous...
02:15Condensins
Condensins are large protein complexes that use ATP to fuel the assembly of chromosomes during mitosis. They transform the tangled, shapeless mass of post-interphase DNA into individualized chromosomes by compacting, organizing, and segregating chromosomal DNA.
The plant and animal cells contain two types of condensin complexes—condensin I and condensin II. Both complexes have five subunits: two SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) subunits, a kleisin subunit, and two HEAT-repeat...
The plant and animal cells contain two types of condensin complexes—condensin I and condensin II. Both complexes have five subunits: two SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) subunits, a kleisin subunit, and two HEAT-repeat...
02:15Condensins
Condensins are large protein complexes that use ATP to fuel the assembly of chromosomes during mitosis. They transform the tangled, shapeless mass of post-interphase DNA into individualized chromosomes by compacting, organizing, and segregating chromosomal DNA.
The plant and animal cells contain two types of condensin complexes—condensin I and condensin II. Both complexes have five subunits: two SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) subunits, a kleisin subunit, and two HEAT-repeat...
The plant and animal cells contain two types of condensin complexes—condensin I and condensin II. Both complexes have five subunits: two SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) subunits, a kleisin subunit, and two HEAT-repeat...
02:17Separation of Sister Chromatids
At the transition from prophase to metaphase, there is a reduction in cohesion along the chromosomal arms, resulting in the resolution of sister chromatids. However, residual cohesin connections remain to hold the sister chromatids together until the transition from metaphase to anaphase. The residual connection prevents any premature separation of sister chromatids, blocking the risks of aneuploidy within the daughter cells.
At the onset of anaphase, separase, a proteolytic enzyme, is...
At the onset of anaphase, separase, a proteolytic enzyme, is...
02:17Separation of Sister Chromatids
At the transition from prophase to metaphase, there is a reduction in cohesion along the chromosomal arms, resulting in the resolution of sister chromatids. However, residual cohesin connections remain to hold the sister chromatids together until the transition from metaphase to anaphase. The residual connection prevents any premature separation of sister chromatids, blocking the risks of aneuploidy within the daughter cells.
At the onset of anaphase, separase, a proteolytic enzyme, is...
At the onset of anaphase, separase, a proteolytic enzyme, is...