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Condensin: Architect of mitotic chromosomes

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Abstract

Condensin is a highly conserved pentameric complex consisting of two structural maintenance of chromosome (SMC) ATPase subunits and three auxiliary components. While initially regarded as a key driver of mitotic chromosome condensation, condensin is increasingly viewed as having a more subtle influence on chromosome architecture. The two condensin complexes are required to direct the correct folding and organization of chromosomes prior to anaphase and for keeping the chromosomes compact as they separate to the poles. This ancient complex is essential in mitosis and meiosis and has additional roles in gene regulation and DNA repair. The wide variety of biochemical and genetic tools available are gradually unravelling the numerous roles condensin plays during the cell cycle and shedding light on its mechanism of action.

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Abbreviations

CAP:

chromosome-associated protein

Cdc2:

cell division cycle (kinase) 2

CDK:

cyclin-dependent kinase

CK2:

casein kinase 2

HEAT:

Huntingtin, elongation factor 3, the A subunit of protein phosphatase 2A, TOR lipid kinase

NEBD:

nuclear envelope breakdown

RCA:

regulator of chromosome architecture

SMC:

structural maintenance of chromosome

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Acknowledgements

The work was supported by the Wellcome Trust (United Kingdom) and NHMRC (Australia). W.C.E is a Principal Research Fellow of the Wellcome Trust and D.H. is supported by a NHMRC project grant (ID: 491204).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052, Australia

    Damien F. Hudson

  2. Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Damien F. Hudson

  3. Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia

    Kathryn M. Marshall

  4. Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Edinburgh, Swann Building, King’s Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JR, UK

    William C. Earnshaw

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  1. Damien F. Hudson
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  2. Kathryn M. Marshall
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Correspondence to Damien F. Hudson or William C. Earnshaw.

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Responsible Editor: Christian Haering.

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Hudson, D.F., Marshall, K.M. & Earnshaw, W.C. Condensin: Architect of mitotic chromosomes. Chromosome Res 17, 131–144 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10577-008-9009-7

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