Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026
10:57
Mapping Absolute DNA Density in Cell Nuclei using Single-molecule Localization Microscopy
Published on: November 11, 2025
837
Cell cycle control of DNA joint molecule resolution
1Institute of Biochemistry, HPM D6.5 - ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 3, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|March 13, 2016
Summary
DNA joint molecules (JMs) are crucial for DNA repair and chromosome segregation. Cell cycle regulators control specific enzymes to manage JM processing, preventing genome instability during cell division.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Stable chromosomal interactions are essential for DNA repair and segregation.
- Timely disengagement of these interactions is critical for cell division.
- The metabolism of DNA joint molecules (JMs) from DNA repair is poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of structure-selective endonucleases Mus81 and Yen1/GEN1 in processing DNA joint molecules (JMs).
- To explore the regulation of JM processing by cell cycle kinases and phosphatases.
- To understand how JM processing impacts cell cycle progression and genome stability.
Main Methods:
- Utilized genetic and biochemical approaches to study Mus81 and Yen1/GEN1 function.
- Investigated the interplay between cell cycle regulators and these endonucleases.
- Assessed the consequences of altered JM processing on chromosome segregation and cell viability.
Main Results:
- Identified Mus81 and Yen1/GEN1 as key enzymes involved in DNA joint molecule resolution.
- Demonstrated that cell cycle kinases and phosphatases regulate the activity of Mus81 and Yen1/GEN1.
- Showed that controlled JM processing is necessary to prevent genome instability during S-phase and ensure proper chromosome segregation in mitosis.
Conclusions:
- Mus81 and Yen1/GEN1 play critical roles in resolving DNA joint molecules generated during DNA repair.
- Cell cycle control mechanisms ensure that JM processing is appropriately timed to maintain genome integrity.
- Dysregulation of JM processing can lead to deleterious consequences for cell division and genome stability.
More Related Videos
05:37Single-Molecule Fluorescence Visualization of DNA Polymerase Dynamics at G-Quadruplexes
Published on: April 4, 2025
1.3K
08:33Combining Mitotic Cell Synchronization and High Resolution Confocal Microscopy to Study the Role of Multifunctional Cell Cycle Proteins During Mitosis
Published on: December 5, 2017
15.0K
Related Concept Videos
02:36DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle
10.2K
In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
10.2K
02:36DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle
3.2K
In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
3.2K
01:28The Cell Cycle Control System
5.6K
The cell cycle regulation directs how a cell proceeds from one phase to the next and begins mitosis. The cell cycle control system includes intracellular regulatory molecules and external triggers. They provide "stop" or "advance" signals and operate at specific cell cycle stages termed checkpoints to ensure that a particular process is completed before the cell advances to the next phase.
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are the primary cell cycle regulators and...
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are the primary cell cycle regulators and...
5.6K
02:11The Cell Cycle Control System
14.4K
The cell cycle is an organized set of events that leads the cell to divide into two daughter cells, each containing chromosomes identical to the parent cell. It is the cell cycle that leads to the formation of an entire organism from a single-cell zygote. Besides, cell division also functions in the renewal or repair of tissues in adult multicellular eukaryotes. For example, in the bone marrow, the stem cells divide to form new blood cells. Although essential for several functions, cell...
14.4K
01:30Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
7.0K
The ovarian cycle is meticulously regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This cycle orchestrates the release of a mature oocyte, essential for reproduction.
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
7.0K
01:49The Nitrogen Cycle
60.4K
Nitrogen atoms, present in all proteins and DNA, are recycled between abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. However, the primary form of nitrogen on Earth is nitrogen gas, which cannot be used by most animals and plants. Thus, nitrogen gas must first be converted into a usable form by nitrogen-fixing bacteria before it can be cycled through other living organisms. The use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers and animal waste products in human agriculture has greatly influenced the...
60.4K