scholarly journals Mitotic chromosomes are compacted laterally by KIF4 and condensin and axially by topoisomerase IIα

2012 ◽  
Vol 199 (5) ◽  
pp. 755-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumiko Samejima ◽  
Itaru Samejima ◽  
Paola Vagnarelli ◽  
Hiromi Ogawa ◽  
Giulia Vargiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Chromosome ◽  
Chromosome Morphology ◽  
Mitotic Chromosomes ◽  
Topoisomerase Iiα ◽  
Intrinsic Structure ◽  
Vitro Assay ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Parallel Pathway ◽  
Chromosome Formation

Mitotic chromosome formation involves a relatively minor condensation of the chromatin volume coupled with a dramatic reorganization into the characteristic “X” shape. Here we report results of a detailed morphological analysis, which revealed that chromokinesin KIF4 cooperated in a parallel pathway with condensin complexes to promote the lateral compaction of chromatid arms. In this analysis, KIF4 and condensin were mutually dependent for their dynamic localization on the chromatid axes. Depletion of either caused sister chromatids to expand and compromised the “intrinsic structure” of the chromosomes (defined in an in vitro assay), with loss of condensin showing stronger effects. Simultaneous depletion of KIF4 and condensin caused complete loss of chromosome morphology. In these experiments, topoisomerase IIα contributed to shaping mitotic chromosomes by promoting the shortening of the chromatid axes and apparently acting in opposition to the actions of KIF4 and condensins. These three proteins are major determinants in shaping the characteristic mitotic chromosome morphology.

scholarly journals Topoisomerase II does not play a scaffolding role in the organization of mitotic chromosomes assembled in Xenopus egg extracts.

1993 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 601-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Hirano ◽  
T J Mitchison
Keyword(s):  
Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Mitotic Chromosome ◽  
Chromosome Morphology ◽  
Sperm Chromatin ◽  
Mitotic Chromosomes ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Xenopus Egg ◽  
Topo Ii ◽  
Xenopus Egg Extracts

We have investigated the role of topoisomerase II (topo II) in mitotic chromosome assembly and organization in vitro using Xenopus egg extracts. When sperm chromatin was incubated with mitotic extracts, the highly compact chromatin rapidly swelled and concomitantly underwent local condensation. Further incubation induced the formation of entangled thin chromatin fibers that eventually resolved into highly condensed individual chromosomes. This in vitro system made it possible to manipulate mitotic chromosomes in their assembly condition without any isolation or stabilization steps. Two complementary approaches, immunodepletion and antibody blocking, demonstrated that topo II activity is required for chromosome assembly and condensation. Once condensation was completed, however, blocking of topo II activity had little effect on the chromosome morphology. Immunofluorescent studies showed that topo II was uniformly distributed throughout the condensed chromosomes and was not restricted to the chromosomal axis. Surprisingly, all detectable topo II molecules were easily extracted from the chromosomes under mild conditions where the shape of chromosomes was well preserved. Our results show that topo II is essential for mitotic chromosome assembly, but does not play a scaffolding role in the structural maintenance of chromosomes assembled in vitro. We also present evidence that changes of DNA topology affect the distribution of topo II in mitotic chromosomes in our system.

scholarly journals A novel chromatin tether domain controls topoisomerase IIα dynamics and mitotic chromosome formation

2013 ◽  
Vol 203 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew B. Lane ◽  
Juan F. Giménez-Abián ◽  
Duncan J. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Posttranslational Modifications ◽  
Mitotic Chromosome ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Important Class ◽  
Histone Tail ◽  
Mitotic Chromosomes ◽  
Topoisomerase Iiα ◽  
Dna Topoisomerase ◽  
Chromosome Formation ◽  
Dna Topoisomerase Iiα

DNA topoisomerase IIα (Topo IIα) is the target of an important class of anticancer drugs, but tumor cells can become resistant by reducing the association of the enzyme with chromosomes. Here we describe a critical mechanism of chromatin recruitment and exchange that relies on a novel chromatin tether (ChT) domain and mediates interaction with histone H3 and DNA. We show that the ChT domain controls the residence time of Topo IIα on chromatin in mitosis and is necessary for the formation of mitotic chromosomes. Our data suggest that the dynamics of Topo IIα on chromosomes are important for successful mitosis and implicate histone tail posttranslational modifications in regulating Topo IIα.

The influence of fixation on the morphology of mitotic chromosomes

1986 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 536-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axel J. J. Dietrich
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Strong Influence ◽  
Chromosome Structure ◽  
Human Lymphocytes ◽  
Chromosome Morphology ◽  
Mitotic Chromosomes ◽  
Specific Chemical ◽  
C Banding ◽  
Sister Chromatids

It is well known that there is a strong influence of fixation, i.e., acetic methanol versus formaldehyde, on the chromosome morphology at stages of the first meiotic division. In this study the influence of both these types of fixation on the morphology of mitotic chromosomes was examined in human lymphocytes. After methanol – acetic acid (3:1) fixation, the chromosomes show the "classical" condensed shape in which it is not always possible to recognize the two sister chromatids. These chromosomes are accessible to the conventional G-, R-, and C-banding techniques. After formaldehyde fixation at a relatively high pH, the chromosomes are thinner and longer (two to six times) when compared with chromosomes following methanol – acetic acid fixation. They show a scaffold-like morphology, sometimes with a halo of thin material around it. In all cases the two sister chromatids could be recognized. This chromosome structure could be easily stained with silver, Giemsa, 4,6-diamino-2-phenyl-indole (DAPI), and fluorescein isocyanate isomere 1 (FITC). The results obtained following these stainings gave no indication to any specific chemical composition of a probable central scaffold. The scaffold-like structures were not accessible to G-, R-, or C-banding techniques. The only effect observed following these banding techniques was the disappearance of the halo of thin material around the central scaffold-like structure.Key words: chromosome structure, fixation influence, human lymphocytes.

scholarly journals Contribution of hCAP-D2, a Non-SMC Subunit of Condensin I, to Chromosome and Chromosomal Protein Dynamics during Mitosis

2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 740-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erwan Watrin ◽  
Vincent Legagneux
Keyword(s):  
Rna Interference ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Mitotic Chromosome ◽  
Chromosomal Protein ◽  
Structural Components ◽  
Mitotic Chromosomes ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Chromosome Alignment ◽  
Structural Maintenance Of Chromosomes

ABSTRACT Condensins are heteropentameric complexes that were first identified as structural components of mitotic chromosomes. They are composed of two SMC (structural maintenance of chromosomes) and three non-SMC subunits. Condensins play a role in the resolution and segregation of sister chromatids during mitosis, as well as in some aspects of mitotic chromosome assembly. Two distinct condensin complexes, condensin I and condensin II, which differ only in their non-SMC subunits, exist. Here, we used an RNA interference approach to deplete hCAP-D2, a non-SMC subunit of condensin I, in HeLa cells. We found that the association of hCAP-H, another non-SMC subunit of condensin I, with mitotic chromosomes depends on the presence of hCAP-D2. Moreover, chromatid axes, as defined by topoisomerase II and hCAP-E localization, are disorganized in the absence of hCAP-D2, and the resolution and segregation of sister chromatids are impaired. In addition, hCAP-D2 depletion affects chromosome alignment in metaphase and delays entry into anaphase. This suggests that condensin I is involved in the correct attachment between chromosome kinetochores and microtubules of the mitotic spindle. These results are discussed relative to the effects of depleting both condensin complexes.

scholarly journals Topoisomerase IIα is essential for maintenance of mitotic chromosome structure

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (22) ◽  
pp. 12131-12142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian F. Nielsen ◽  
Tao Zhang ◽  
Marin Barisic ◽  
Paul Kalitsis ◽  
Damien F. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mitotic Chromosome ◽  
Chromosome Structure ◽  
Chromatin Condensation ◽  
Chromosome Condensation ◽  
Mitotic Chromosomes ◽  
Topoisomerase Iiα ◽  
Mitotic Chromosome Condensation

Topoisomerase IIα (TOP2A) is a core component of mitotic chromosomes and important for establishing mitotic chromosome condensation. The primary roles of TOP2A in mitosis have been difficult to decipher due to its multiple functions across the cell cycle. To more precisely understand the role of TOP2A in mitosis, we used the auxin-inducible degron (AID) system to rapidly degrade the protein at different stages of the human cell cycle. Removal of TOP2A prior to mitosis does not affect prophase timing or the initiation of chromosome condensation. Instead, it prevents chromatin condensation in prometaphase, extends the length of prometaphase, and ultimately causes cells to exit mitosis without chromosome segregation occurring. Surprisingly, we find that removal of TOP2A from cells arrested in prometaphase or metaphase cause dramatic loss of compacted mitotic chromosome structure and conclude that TOP2A is crucial for maintenance of mitotic chromosomes. Treatments with drugs used to poison/inhibit TOP2A function, such as etoposide and ICRF-193, do not phenocopy the effects on chromosome structure of TOP2A degradation by AID. Our data point to a role for TOP2A as a structural chromosome maintenance enzyme locking in condensation states once sufficient compaction is achieved.

scholarly journals A pathway for mitotic chromosome formation

Science ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 359 (6376) ◽  
pp. eaao6135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan H. Gibcus ◽  
Kumiko Samejima ◽  
Anton Goloborodko ◽  
Itaru Samejima ◽  
Natalia Naumova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cultures ◽  
Mitotic Chromosome ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Mitotic Chromosomes ◽  
Chromatin Loops ◽  
Nested Loops ◽  
Helical Winding ◽  
Combined Imaging ◽  
Chromosome Formation ◽  
Differential Action

Mitotic chromosomes fold as compact arrays of chromatin loops. To identify the pathway of mitotic chromosome formation, we combined imaging and Hi-C analysis of synchronous DT40 cell cultures with polymer simulations. Here we show that in prophase, the interphase organization is rapidly lost in a condensin-dependent manner, and arrays of consecutive 60-kilobase (kb) loops are formed. During prometaphase, ~80-kb inner loops are nested within ~400-kb outer loops. The loop array acquires a helical arrangement with consecutive loops emanating from a central “spiral staircase” condensin scaffold. The size of helical turns progressively increases to ~12 megabases during prometaphase. Acute depletion of condensin I or II shows that nested loops form by differential action of the two condensins, whereas condensin II is required for helical winding.

scholarly journals Tripartite chromatin localization of budding yeast Shugoshin involves higher-ordered architecture of mitotic chromosomes

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiexiong Deng ◽  
Min-Hao Kuo
Keyword(s):  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Mitotic Chromosome ◽  
Budding Yeast ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Mitotic Spindles ◽  
Mitotic Chromosomes ◽  
Chromatin Architecture ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Segregation Of Chromosomes

ABSTRACTThe spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is key to faithful segregation of chromosomes. One requirement that satisfies SAC is appropriate tension between sister chromatids at the metaphase-anaphase juncture. Proper tension generated by poleward pulling of mitotic spindles signals biorientation of the underlying chromosome. In the budding yeast, the tension status is monitored by the conserved Shugoshin protein, Sgo1p, and the tension sensing motif (TSM) of histone H3. ChIP-seq reveals a unique TSM-dependent, tripartite domain of Sgo1p in each mitotic chromosome. This domain consists of one centromeric and two flanking peaks 3 – 4 kb away, and is present exclusively in mitosis. Strikingly, this trident motif coincides with cohesin localization, but only at the centromere and the two immediate adjacent loci, despite that cohesin is enriched at numerous regions throughout mitotic chromosomes. The TSM-Sgo1p-cohesin triad is at the center stage of higher-ordered chromatin architecture for error-free segregation.

scholarly journals Identification of a Chromosome-Targeting Domain in the Human Condensin Subunit CNAP1/hCAP-D2/Eg7

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 5769-5781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander R. Ball, ◽  
John A. Schmiesing ◽  
Changcheng Zhou ◽  
Heather C. Gregson ◽  
Yoshiaki Okada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Chromosome ◽  
Mitotic Chromosomes ◽  
Family Protein ◽  
Localization Signal ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Mitotic Chromosome Condensation ◽  
Structural Maintenance Of Chromosomes

ABSTRACT CNAP1 (hCAP-D2/Eg7) is an essential component of the human condensin complex required for mitotic chromosome condensation. This conserved complex contains a structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) family protein heterodimer and three non-SMC subunits. The mechanism underlying condensin targeting to mitotic chromosomes and the role played by the individual condensin components, particularly the non-SMC subunits, are not well understood. We report here characterization of the non-SMC condensin component CNAP1. CNAP1 contains two separate domains required for its stable incorporation into the complex. We found that the carboxyl terminus of CNAP1 possesses a mitotic chromosome-targeting domain that does not require the other condensin components. The same region also contains a functional bipartite nuclear localization signal. A mutant CNAP1 missing this domain, although still incorporated into condensin, was unable to associate with mitotic chromosomes. Successful chromosome targeting of deletion mutants correlated with their ability to directly bind to histones H1 and H3 in vitro. The H3 interaction appears to be mediated through the H3 histone tail, and a subfragment containing the targeting domain was found to interact with histone H3 in vivo. Thus, the CNAP1 C-terminal region defines a novel histone-binding domain that is responsible for targeting CNAP1, and possibly condensin, to mitotic chromosomes.

scholarly journals Proteolysis of Mitotic Chromosomes Induces Gradual and Anisotropic Decondensation Correlated with a Reduction of Elastic Modulus and Structural Sensitivity to Rarely Cutting Restriction Enzymes

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa H. Pope ◽  
Chee Xiong ◽  
John F. Marko
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Chromosome ◽  
Restriction Enzymes ◽  
Chromosome Morphology ◽  
Proteinase K ◽  
Elastic Response ◽  
Response Analysis ◽  
Mitotic Chromosomes ◽  
Protease Treatment ◽  
Specific Restriction ◽  
Nonspecific Proteolysis

The effect of nonspecific proteolysis on the structure of single isolated mitotic newt chromosomes was studied using chromosome elastic response as an assay. Exposure to either trypsin or proteinase K gradually decondensed and softened chromosomes but without entirely eliminating their elastic response. Analysis of chromosome morphology revealed anisotropic decondensation upon digestion, with length increasing more than width. Prolonged protease treatment resulted only in further swelling of the chromosome without complete dissolution. Mild trypsinization induced sensitivity of chromosome elasticity to five- and six-base-specific restriction enzymes. These results, combined with previous studies of effects of nucleases on mitotic chromosome structure, indicate that mild proteolysis gradually reduces the density of chromatin-constraining elements in the mitotic chromosome, providing evidence consistent with an anisotropically folded “chromatin network” model of mitotic chromosome architecture.

scholarly journals Ki-67 and condensins support the integrity of mitotic chromosomes through distinct mechanisms

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Takagi ◽  
Takao Ono ◽  
Toyoaki Natsume ◽  
Chiyomi Sakamoto ◽  
Mitsuyoshi Nakao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching ◽  
Mitotic Chromosome ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
External Surface ◽  
Mitotic Chromosomes ◽  
Topoisomerase Iiα ◽  
Ki 67 ◽  
Nuclear Envelope Breakdown ◽  
Structural Maintenance Of Chromosomes

AbstractAlthough condensins play essential roles in mitotic chromosome assembly, Ki-67, a protein localizing to the periphery of mitotic chromosomes, had also been shown to make a contribution to the process. To examine their respective roles, we generated a set of HCT116-based cell lines expressing Ki-67 and/or condensin subunits that were fused with an auxin-inducible degron for their conditional degradation. Both the localization and the dynamic behavior of Ki-67 on mitotic chromosomes were not largely affected upon depletion of condensin subunits, and vice versa. When both Ki-67 and SMC2 (a core subunit of condensins) were depleted, ball-like chromosome clusters with no sign of discernible thread-like structures were observed. This severe defective phenotype was distinct from that observed in cells depleted of either Ki-67 or SMC2 alone. Our results show that Ki-67 and condensins, which localize to the external surface and the central axis of mitotic chromosomes, respectively, have independent yet cooperative functions in supporting the structural integrity of mitotic chromosomes.List of Abbreviations usedAIDauxin-inducible degronDOXdoxycyclineFRAPfluorescence recovery after photobleachingIAAindol-3-acetic acidmAClmAID-mClovermAChmAID-mCherryNEBDnuclear envelope breakdownSMCstructural maintenance of chromosomesSTLCS-Trityl-L-cysteinetopo IIαtopoisomerase IIα

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