title: Structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) proteins, a family of conserved ATPases.
abstract: The structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) proteins are essential for successful chromosome transmission during replication and segregation of the genome in all organisms. SMCs are generally present as single proteins in bacteria, and as at least six distinct proteins in eukaryotes. The proteins range in size from approximately 110 to 170 kDa, and each has five distinct domains: amino- and carboxy-terminal globular domains, which contain sequences characteristic of ATPases, two coiled-coil regions separating the terminal domains and a central flexible hinge. SMC proteins function together with other proteins in a range of chromosomal transactions, including chromosome condensation, sister-chromatid cohesion, recombination, DNA repair and epigenetic silencing of gene expression. Recent studies are beginning to decipher molecular details of how these processes are carried out.
authors.affiliation: Trescowthick Research Laboratories, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, A'Beckett St, Melbourne, VIC 8006, Australia. m.oconnell@pmci.unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Susan H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: Michael J E
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Krien
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: O'Connell
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics*; D017124:Conserved Sequence / Q000235:genetics*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics*; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases