Abstract

Condensins are multisubunit protein complexes that play a fundamental role in the structural and functional organization of chromosomes in the three domains of life. Most eukaryotic species have two different types of condensin complexes, known as condensins I and II, that fulfill nonoverlapping functions and are subjected to differential regulation during mitosis and meiosis. Recent studies revealed that the two complexes contribute to a wide variety of interphase chromosome functions, such as gene regulation, recombination, and repair. Also emerging are their cell type- and tissue-specific functions and relevance to human disease. Biochemical and structural analyses of eukaryotic and bacterial condensins steadily uncover the mechanisms of action of this class of highly sophisticated molecular machines. Future studies on condensins will not only enhance our understanding of chromosome architecture and dynamics, but also help address a previously underappreciated yet profound set of questions in chromosome biology.

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Publisher Full Text

Authors

Hirano T

Institution

Chromosome Dynamics Laboratory, RIKEN Advanced Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, Japan. hiranot@riken.jp

Source

Genes & development 26:15 2012 Aug 1 pg 1659-78

MeSH

Adenosine Triphosphatases
Animals
Chromosome Segregation
Chromosomes
DNA-Binding Proteins
Eukaryota
Humans
Meiosis
Mitosis
Multiprotein Complexes

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22855829