Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 2, 2026
12:46
Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization FISH to Monitor the State of Arm Cohesion in Prometaphase and Metaphase I Drosophila Oocytes
Published on: December 6, 2017
12.1K
Dalmatian: spotting the difference in cohesin protectors
1The Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
The EMBO Journal
|May 10, 2017
Summary
In Drosophila, the Dalmatian protein regulates chromosome cohesion, a function performed by two separate proteins, sororin and shugoshin, in vertebrates. This discovery reveals a unique mechanism for maintaining chromosome integrity during cell division.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The cohesin complex is crucial for maintaining sister chromatid cohesion after DNA replication, ensuring proper chromosome segregation during cell division.
- In vertebrates, sororin and shugoshin are key regulators involved in establishing and maintaining cohesin-dependent linkages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms regulating cohesin function in Drosophila.
- To identify the proteins responsible for establishing and maintaining cohesin-dependent linkages in Drosophila.
Main Methods:
- Utilized genetic screening and molecular biology techniques in Drosophila melanogaster.
- Performed biochemical assays to analyze protein interactions and functions.
Main Results:
- Identified a single hybrid protein, named Dalmatian, in Drosophila.
- Demonstrated that Dalmatian performs the functions of both vertebrate sororin and shugoshin in regulating cohesin.
- Showcased Dalmatian's essential role in establishing and maintaining sister chromatid cohesion in Drosophila.
Conclusions:
- Drosophila utilizes a unique, single protein (Dalmatian) to regulate cohesin, unlike the two-protein system in vertebrates.
- This finding highlights the evolutionary divergence in the mechanisms controlling chromosome segregation.
- Dalmatian represents a novel target for understanding cell division regulation.
Related Concept Videos
02:20Cohesins
5.8K
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...
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...
5.8K
01:25Structure of Cadherins
5.0K
The cadherins were one of the first cell adhesion molecules discovered; the term “cadherins” is based on their calcium-dependent adhering properties. The first cadherins discovered on the epithelial, neuronal, and placental cells were named E-cadherin, P-cadherin, and N-cadherin, respectively. These classical cadherins share sequence and structural similarities. Other cadherins, including those involved in cell signaling, are grouped into non-classical cadherins. This...
5.0K
01:26Differential Staining Technique
2.6K
Differential staining is an essential microbiological technique that exploits variations in cell wall structures to classify and identify microorganisms. It facilitates the distinction of bacteria, aiding in diagnostic and research applications. Two of the most widely used differential staining methods are Gram staining and acid-fast staining, both of which rely on the chemical and structural differences in bacterial cell walls.Gram Staining TechniqueGram staining differentiates bacteria by...
2.6K
01:27SDS-PAGE
34.4K
Gel electrophoresis is a method that separates biological macromolecules like nucleic acids or proteins by forcing them to pass through a gel matrix under an electric field.
A variation of gel electrophoresis, termed polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), is commonly used for separating proteins according to their molecular size by passing them through a polyacrylamide gel. Because of the varying charges associated with amino acid side chains, PAGE can be used to separate intact...
A variation of gel electrophoresis, termed polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), is commonly used for separating proteins according to their molecular size by passing them through a polyacrylamide gel. Because of the varying charges associated with amino acid side chains, PAGE can be used to separate intact...
34.4K
01:23Catenins
3.2K
Catenins are characterized by multiple binding domains and dynamic structures that allow them to function as linker proteins in cell junction complexes. All catenins, except α-catenin, contain a characteristic protein sequence called the armadillo repeat and are therefore also called armadillo proteins.
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the...
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the...
3.2K
01:18Polarity of the Cytoskeleton
25.4K
The intrinsic polarity of cells can be primarily attributed to two factors- i) the asymmetric accumulation of mobile components such are regulatory molecules and subcellular components across the cell and ii) the orientation of polar cytoskeletal filaments that make up the cytoskeletal networks, specifically microfilaments, and microtubules arranged along the axis of polarity. Interactions between the cytoskeletal filaments are crucial for the establishment and maintenance of the polar nature...
25.4K