title: Calpain 2 is required for sister chromatid cohesion.
abstract: Calpains form a family of Ca(2+)-dependent cysteine proteases involved in diverse cellular processes. However, the specific functions of each calpain isoform remain unknown. Recent reports have shown that calpain 2 (Capn2) is essential for cell viability. We have recently shown that Capn2 is a nuclear protease associated with chromosomes during mitosis in mammalian embryonic cells. We now report that Capn2 depletion impairs mitosis and induces apoptosis in murine cells. Low Capn2 levels induce chromosome alignment defects, the loss of histone H3 threonine 3 phosphorylation at centromeres, and premature sister chromatid separation. Thus, Capn2 may play a role in fundamental mitotic functions, such as the maintenance of sister chromatid cohesion.
authors.affiliation: CNRS UMR 6061, Université de Rennes 1, IFR 140, 2 Avenue du Pr Léon Bernard, 35043, Rennes, France.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Magnaghi-Jaulin
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marcilhac
authors.forename: Mireille
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossel
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jaulin
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Benyamin
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Raynaud
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002154:Calpain / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D051379:Mice; D008938:Mitosis; D010766:Phosphorylation; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange
chemical_list: D002154:Calpain