Mystery of DNA arrangement for over a century finally solved

August 2, 2022

Researchers at the Tokyo University of Science and the University of Tokyo collaborating with colleagues at Osaka University, the RIKEN CSRS, and Chubu University identified the proteins [the condensin II and the linker of the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (CII-LINC) complex and the CROWDED NUCLEI (CRWN)] that form discrete centromere distributions using mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana. They also found that two molecular pathways shape the discrete distribution pattern of centromeres. The molecular mechanisms that determine the spatial distribution of centromeres, which had been unknown for more than 130 years since 1885, were elucidated. These findings have paved a path for research of mechanisms that regulate the three-dimensional arrangements of DNA in the nucleus.

Original article

Nature Plants doi:10.1038/s41477-022-01200-3

T. Sakamoto, Y. Sakamoto, S. Grob, D. Slane, T. Yamashita, N. Ito, Y. Oko, T. Sugiyama, T. Higaki, S. Hasezawa, M. Tanaka, A. Matsui, M. Seki, T. Suzuki, U. Grossniklaus, S. Matsunaga,

"Two-step regulation of centromere distribution by condensin II and the nuclear envelope proteins".

Contact

Motoaki Seki
Team Leader
Plant Genomic Network Research Team