Research report 2006 - Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry
Chromosome segregation in vertebrates
Authors
Stemmann, Olaf
Departments
Chromosomensegregation und Mitose (Stemmann, Abteilung Molekulare Zellbiologie, DFG/Emmy Noether) (Dr. Olaf Stemmann)
MPI für Biochemie, Martinsried
Summary
The exact halfing of the previously replicated chromosomes during mitosis and both meiotic divisions is crucial to avoid tumor formation and trisomies. Chromosomes are separated by action of separase, a giant protease, which cleaves chromosomal cohesin. Researchers from the Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry recently discovered a new regulation and an unexpected, non-proteolytic function of this key enzyme.