Eco1 modifies cohesin to stabilise sister chromatid cohesion. This has been observed by scientists from the Cancer Research UK London Research Institute. Sister chromosomes are bound to each other by chromosomal cohesin complexes ever since their synthesis in the S phase of mitosis. This is dependent on the acetyl transferase Eco1. Eco1 is associated with the replication fork but its way of function is yet unknown.

The research team found spontaneous suppressors of the eco1-1 allele in budding yeast. A mutation in the Smc3 subunit of cohesin that imitates acetylation causes Eco1 to become expendable for the cell cycle. Smc3 is acetylated in an Eco1-dependent manner during DNA replication which aids sister chromatid cohesion. A different subset of Eco1-1 suppressors can inactivate the yeast ortholog of the cohesin destabiliser Wapl.

In conclusion, Eco1 seems to modify cohesin to enhance sister chromatid cohesion together with an assumingly Eco1-independent reaction that establishes the cohesion.

Related antibodies on antibodies-online.com:

Cohesin

Smc3

Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

Wapl

Antibodies for the research area cell cycle: »Show antibodies