Splitting the chromosome: cutting the ties that bind sister chromatids.
In eukaryotic cells, replicated DNA molecules remain physically connected from their synthesis in S phase until they are separated during anaphase. This phenomenon, called sister chromatid cohesion, is essential for the temporal separation of DNA replication and mitosis and for the equal separation of the duplicated genome. Recent work has identified a number of chromosomal proteins required for cohesion. In this review we discuss how these proteins may connect sister chromatids and how they are removed from chromosomes to allow sister chromatid separation at the onset of anaphase.
Nasmyth
K
K
Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 7, A-1030 Vienna, Austria.
Peters
J M
JM
Uhlmann
F
F
D000818:Animals; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002842:Chromatids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000378:metabolism*; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000502:physiology; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008938:Mitosis / Q000502:physiology*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011487:Protein Conformation; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism; D000097722:Cohesins
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D000097722:Cohesins