Minichromosome maintenance proteins in eukaryotic chromosome segregation

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 11, 2025

Live Cell Imaging of Chromosome Segregation During Mitosis
06:39

Live Cell Imaging of Chromosome Segregation During Mitosis

Published on: March 14, 2018

9.5K

Gunjan Mehta1, Kaustuv Sanyal2, Suman Abhishek1

  • 1Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, India.

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
|November 29, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Minichromosome maintenance (Mcm) proteins, specifically the ARS-nonspecific group, are crucial for chromosome segregation and kinetochore assembly. Their distinct functions within stable complexes highlight evolutionary flexibility in maintaining genome stability.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Minichromosome maintenance (Mcm) proteins are primarily known for their essential roles in DNA replication.
  • Their involvement in chromosome segregation, particularly kinetochore function, requires further detailed review.
  • The ARS-nonspecific Mcm proteins (Mcm13, Mcm16-19, Mcm21-22) are identified as key kinetochore components.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the structure, function, and evolution of the ARS-nonspecific Mcm proteins.
  • To elucidate their roles in kinetochore assembly and chromosome segregation.
  • To analyze their functional divergence despite biochemical complex formation.

Main Methods:

  • In silico analysis of physical interactors.
  • Literature review of existing studies.
  • Discussion of experimental strategies and contrasting results.

Main Results:

  • ARS-nonspecific Mcm proteins are bonafide kinetochore proteins involved in high-fidelity chromosome segregation.
  • In silico analysis revealed non-overlapping functions among these proteins within stable complexes.
  • Contrasting findings in the literature were identified and addressed.

Conclusions:

  • The ARS-nonspecific Mcm proteins exhibit specialized, non-overlapping functions essential for genome stability.
  • Their evolutionary flexibility allows adaptation for maintaining genome stability across organisms.
  • Understanding their structure-function relationship is key to comprehending chromosome segregation mechanisms.
Keywords:
MCMMinichromosome maintenancebudding yeastcentromerechromosome segregationkinetochore

More Related Videos

Examination of Mitotic and Meiotic Fission Yeast Nuclear Dynamics by Fluorescence Live-cell Microscopy12:04

Examination of Mitotic and Meiotic Fission Yeast Nuclear Dynamics by Fluorescence Live-cell Microscopy

Published on: June 24, 2019

9.9K
Use of Time-Lapse Microscopy and Stage-Specific Nuclear Depletion of Proteins to Study Meiosis in S. cerevisiae07:48

Use of Time-Lapse Microscopy and Stage-Specific Nuclear Depletion of Proteins to Study Meiosis in S. cerevisiae

Published on: October 11, 2022

2.0K

Related Concept Videos

The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint02:19

The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint

The spindle assembly checkpoint is a molecular surveillance mechanism ensuring the fidelity of chromosome segregation during anaphase. The checkpoint monitors the completion of all the prerequisite steps before chromosome segregation to determine whether the segregation process should proceed or be delayed.
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...
3.3K
Separation of Sister Chromatids02:17

Separation 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...
3.9K
Forces Acting on Chromosomes02:11

Forces Acting on Chromosomes

During mitosis, chromosome movements occur through the interplay of multiple piconewton level forces. In prometaphase, these forces help in chromosome assembly or congression at the equatorial plane, eventually leading to their alignment at the metaphase plate. The forces acting on the chromosomes are space and time-dependent; therefore, they vary with the position of the chromosomes as the cell progresses through mitosis. 
Microtubules and motor proteins exert two types of forces on...
3.5K
Meiosis II02:02

Meiosis II

Meiosis II entails cell division and segregation of the sister chromatids, resulting in the production of four unique haploid gametes. The steps for meiosis II are similar to mitosis, except that meiosis II occurs in haploid cells, whereas mitosis occurs in diploid cells.
The timing and cell division patterns of meiosis differ between males and females. In male meiosis, the centrosomes are part of the formation of the meiotic spindle. However, in oocytes, including that of humans, Drosophila,...
47.7K
Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)01:42

Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)

Microtubule function and architecture are regulated by an array of specialized proteins called microtubule-associated proteins or MAPs. These proteins are widespread across different organisms and have conserved protein motifs, like the multi-TOG domain for tubulin binding found in the CLASP family of MAPs. Some MAPs are lineage-specific based on their conserved domains. Their functions depend upon the cytoskeletal architecture and cell type they are located within. In-plant cells, a specific...
4.8K
Condensins02:15

Condensins

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...
3.8K