Abstract
Chromosome condensation is essential for the faithful transmission of genetic information to daughter cells during cell division. The depletion of chromosome scaffold proteins does not prevent chromosome condensation despite structural defects. This suggests that other factors contribute to condensation. Here we investigated the contribution of divalent cations, particularly Ca2+, to chromosome condensation in vitro and in vivo. Ca2+ depletion caused defects in proper mitotic progression, particularly in chromosome condensation after the breakdown of the nuclear envelope. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy-Förster resonance energy transfer and electron microscopy demonstrated that chromosome condensation is influenced by Ca2+. Chromosomes had compact globular structures when exposed to Ca2+ and expanded fibrous structures without Ca2+. Therefore, we have clearly demonstrated a role for Ca2+ in the compaction of chromatin fibres.
Highlights
On chromosomes (5–17 mM)[22]
Using high-resolution electron microscopy, we demonstrated that Ca2+ is required for mitotic chromosome compaction by influencing the transition of chromatin from a fibrous structure to a compact globular structure
FLIM-FRET experiments confirmed that Ca2+ controls the transition between decondensed and condensed chromatin structures in living cells (Fig. 5)
Summary
On chromosomes (5–17 mM)[22]. This suggests that Ca2+ plays a more important role than Mg2+ in chromosome compaction. We investigated the role of divalent cations, Ca2+, in chromosome condensation in vitro and in vivo. Using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy-Förster resonance energy transfer (FLIM-FRET), we demonstrated that chromosome compaction is influenced by changes in Ca2+ concentration. Detailed chromosome structures affected by changes in Ca2+ concentration were examined at high resolution using electron microscopy. Our findings demonstrated that Ca2+ is important for the organization of metaphase chromosomes
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