Condensin function in dosage compensation.
Dosage compensation is an essential process that equalizes X-linked gene dosage between the sexes. In the worm Caenorhabditis elegans, a complex of proteins called the dosage compensation complex (DCC) binds both X chromosomes in hermaphrodites to downregulate gene expression two-fold and hence to reduce X-linked gene expression levels equal to that in males. Five subunits of the DCC form the condensin I(DC) complex, a homolog of the evolutionarily conserved condensin complex required for chromosome segregation and compaction during mitosis and meiosis. How related complexes can perform such diverse functions remains a mystery. Nevertheless, it is believed that the mitotic and interphase functions of condensin are mechanistically related and understanding one process will reveal new insights into the other. We discuss how during worm dosage compensation a condensin-mediated function may guide the organization of the interphase chromatin fibers, leading to the formation of a repressive nuclear compartment.
Csankovszki
Györgyi
G
Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1048, USA. gyorgyi@umich.edu
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004303:Dosage Compensation, Genetic; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D002843:Chromatin; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; C108312:condensin complexes; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases