Cohesins: chromosomal proteins that prevent premature separation of sister chromatids

Cell. 1997 Oct 3;91(1):35-45. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(01)80007-6.

Abstract

Cohesion between sister chromatids opposes the splitting force exerted by microtubules, and loss of this cohesion is responsible for the subsequent separation of sister chromatids during anaphase. We describe three chromosmal proteins that prevent premature separation of sister chromatids in yeast. Two, Smc1p and Smc3p, are members of the SMC family, which are putative ATPases with coiled-coil domains. A third protein, which we call Scc1p, binds to chromosomes during S phase, dissociates from them at the metaphase-to-anaphase transition, and is degraded by the anaphase promoting complex. Association of Scc1p with chromatin depends on Smc1p. Proteins homologous to Scc1p exist in a variety of eukaryotic organisms including humans. A common cohesion apparatus might be used by all eukaryotic cells during both mitosis and meiosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / genetics
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / physiology
  • Anaphase / genetics*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / physiology*
  • Chromatids / physiology*
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone*
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Fungal Proteins / physiology*
  • Genes, Fungal
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology*
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • S Phase / physiology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins*
  • Securin

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Chromatin
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Fungal Proteins
  • MCD1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • PDS1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Securin
  • structural maintenance of chromosome protein 1
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases

Associated data

  • GENBANK/Y14278
  • GENBANK/Y14279
  • GENBANK/Y14280