Condensin I binds chromatin early in prophase and displays a highly dynamic association with Drosophila mitotic chromosomes

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2007

Authors

Oliveira, RA (Author) Other; Heidmann, S (Author) Other; Sunkel, CE (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: Chromosoma

Vol. 116

Pages: 259-274

ISSN: 0009-5915

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 37 Citations

Scopus - 41 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-9JV

DOI: 10.1007/s00412-007-0097-5

Abstract (EN): The condensed state of mitotic chromosomes is crucial for faithful genome segregation. Key factors implicated in the formation of mitotic chromosomes are the condensin I and II complexes. In Drosophila, condensin I appears to play a major role in mitotic chromosome organization. To analyze its dynamic behavior, we expressed Barren, a condensin I non-Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes subunit, as a fully functional enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusion protein in the female and followed it during early embryonic divisions. We find that, in Drosophila, Barren-EGFP associates with chromatin early in prophase concomitantly with the initiation of chromosome condensation. Barren-EGFP loading starts at the centromeric region from where it spreads distally reaching maximum accumulation at metaphase/early anaphase. Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching analysis indicates that most of the bound protein exchanges rapidly with the cytoplasmic pool during prometaphase/metaphase. Taken together, our results suggest that in Drosophila, condensin I is involved in the initial stages of chromosome condensation. Furthermore, the rapid turnover of Barren-EGFP indicates that the mechanism by which condensin I promotes mitotic chromosome organization is inconsistent with a static scaffold model.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 16