Keeping sister chromatids together: cohesins in meiosis.
Meiosis poses unique challenges to chromosome dynamics. Before entry into meiosis, each chromosome is duplicated and gives rise to two sister chromatids linked to each other by cohesion. Production of haploid gametes requires segregation of homologous chromosomes in the first meiotic division and of sister chromatids in the second. To ensure precise distribution of chromosomes to the daughter cells, sister chromatid cohesion (SCC) has to be dissolved in two steps. Maintenance and regulation of SCC is performed by the cohesin protein complex. This short review will primarily focus on the core cohesin proteins before venturing into adjacent territories with an emphasis on interacting proteins and complexes. It will also concentrate on mammalian meiosis and only occasionally discuss cohesion in other organisms.
Revenkova
E
E
Department of Gene and Cell Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Jessberger
R
R
D000818:Animals; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D020090:Chromosome Segregation; D005260:Female; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D008322:Mammals / Q000502:physiology*; D008540:Meiosis / Q000502:physiology*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000502:physiology*; D000097722:Cohesins
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D000097722:Cohesins