Abstract
Meiosis is a specialized cell division essential for sexual reproduction. During meiosis the chromosomes are highly organized, and correct chromosome architecture is required for faithful segregation of chromosomes at anaphase I and II. Condensin is involved in chromosome organization during meiotic and mitotic cell divisions. Three condensin subunits, AtSMC4 and the condensin I and II specific subunits AtCAP-D2 and AtCAP-D3, respectively, have been studied for their role in meiosis. This has revealed that both the condensin I and condensin II complexes are required to maintain normal structural integrity of the meiotic chromosomes during the two nuclear divisions. Their roles appear functionally distinct in that condensin I is required to maintain normal compaction of the centromeric repeats and 45S rDNA, whereas loss of condensin II was associated with extensive interchromosome connections at metaphase I. Depletion of condensin is also associated with a slight reduction in crossover formation, suggesting a role during meiotic prophase I.
Highlights
During mitotic and meiotic cell divisions chromosomes undergo massive condensation from interphase to metaphase
During meiosis the chromosomes are highly organized, and correct chromosome architecture is required for faithful segregation of chromosomes at anaphase I and II
Condensin is involved in chromosome organization during meiotic and mitotic cell divisions
Summary
During mitotic and meiotic cell divisions chromosomes undergo massive condensation from interphase to metaphase. This compaction of the chromosomes is essential for the accurate segregation of chromosomes at anaphase. In higher eukaryotes two forms of condensin complex exist. Both contain the SMC2 and SMC4 backbone, but have different regulatory proteins. Some studies suggest that condensin II may have an earlier role in mitotic chromosome condensation than condensin I (Ono et al, 2003, 2004; Hirota et al, 2004; Gerlich et al, 2006)
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