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Related Concept Videos

Condensins02:15

Condensins

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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...
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Chromosome Structure02:40

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A functional eukaryotic chromosome must contain three elements: a centromere, telomeres, and numerous origins of replication.
The centromere is a DNA sequence that links sister chromatids. This is also where kinetochores, protein complexes to which spindle microtubules attach, are constructed after the chromosome is replicated. The kinetochores allow the spindle microtubules to move the chromosomes within the cell during cell division.
Telomeres consist of non-coding repetitive nucleotide...
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Cohesins02:20

Cohesins

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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...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Motion Dynamics of the Eukaryotic Replisome Components at the Single-Molecule Level
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SMC complexes: from DNA to chromosomes.

Frank Uhlmann1

  • 1The Francis Crick Institute, Lincoln's Inn Fields Laboratory, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LY, UK.

Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|April 15, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) complexes are vital protein machines found in all organisms. These ATP-powered rings organize DNA, impacting chromosome structure, cohesion, and repair.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) complexes, including condensin, cohesin, and the SMC5-SMC6 complex, are fundamental to chromosome organization in all life forms.
  • These complexes are ATP-dependent molecular machines with a ring-like structure that topologically encircle DNA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanistic insights into the function and regulation of SMC complexes.
  • To propose molecular models for chromosome structure, dynamics, and function based on recent findings.

Main Methods:

  • Mechanistic studies on SMC complex function.
  • Analysis of SMC complex regulation.
  • Development of molecular models for chromosome dynamics.

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Main Results:

  • SMC complexes play crucial roles in chromosome condensation and sister chromatid cohesion.
  • These complexes are essential for effective DNA repair mechanisms.
  • Recent research provides new understanding of SMC complex operation.

Conclusions:

  • SMC complexes are universal chromosomal machines critical for DNA organization and repair.
  • Mechanistic insights enable the proposal of models for chromosome structure and function.
  • Understanding SMC complexes illuminates fundamental aspects of biology.