Cohesin release is required for sister chromatid resolution, but not for condensin-mediated compaction, at the onset of mitosis.

ABSTRACT: The establishment of metaphase chromosomes is an essential prerequisite of sister chromatid separation in anaphase. It involves the coordinated action of cohesin and condensin, protein complexes that mediate cohesion and condensation, respectively. In metazoans, most cohesin dissociates from chromatin at prophase, coincident with association of condensin. Whether loosening of cohesion at the onset of mitosis facilitates the compaction process, resolution of the sister chromatids, or both, remains unknown. We have found that the prophase release of cohesin is completely blocked when two mitotic kinases, aurora B and polo-like kinase (Plx1), are simultaneously depleted from Xenopus egg extracts. Condensin loading onto chromatin is not affected under this condition, and rod-shaped chromosomes

SUBMITTER: Losada A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC187494 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature