Abstract
The main role of condensins is to regulate chromosome condensation and segregation during cell cycles. Recently, it has been suggested in the literatures that subunits of condensin I and condensin II are involved in some human cancers. This paper will first briefly discuss discoveries of human condensins, their components and structures, and their multiple cellular functions. This will be followed by reviews of most recent studies on subunits of human condensins and their dysregulations or mutations in human cancers. It can be concluded that many of these subunits have potentials to be novel targets for cancer therapies. However, hCAP-D2, a subunit of human condensin I, has not been directly documented to be associated with any human cancers to date. This review hypothesizes that hCAP-D2 can also be a potential therapeutic target for human cancers, and therefore that all subunits of human condensins are potential therapeutic targets for human cancers.
Highlights
In the past 20 years, one of the major breakthroughs in chromosome biology is the discovery of condensins [1]
There are two kinds of condensins in human cells, known as condensin I and condensin II [7, 8]. It has been suggested in the literatures that subunits of condensin I and condensin II are involved in human cancers
In vitro studies indicated that cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1)mediated phosphorylation of the non-structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) subunit set is required for chromosomal localization of human condensin I and stimulation of its supercoiling activity [7]
Summary
In the past 20 years, one of the major breakthroughs in chromosome biology is the discovery of condensins [1]. In vitro studies indicated that cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1)mediated phosphorylation of the non-SMC subunit set is required for chromosomal localization of human condensin I and stimulation of its supercoiling activity [7].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
