Regulation of cohesin in the fission yeast S. pombe

DNA in eukaryotic cells, which carries genetic instructions for living organisms, is organized into chromosomes. When a cell divides into two daughter cells, it has to ensure that each daughter cell receives full set of chromosomes. Although we understand many aspects of these cellular processes, we are far from complete understanding. In this project we aim to contribute to our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the proper function of chromosomes and their accurate segregation into daughter cells during cell division. Our studies will focus on one of the key chromosomal protein complexes called cohesin, as well as other proteins involved in segregation of chromosomes, most notably sororin. Our recent data suggest that sororin is also present in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which is an excellent model organism for studying chromosome biology. We will use genetic and biochemical tools to study the localization of these proteins and how they interact with each other. The results of this project will help us understand how cohesin, sororin and other studied Schizosaccharomyces pombe proteins perform their functions so that genetic information is preserved and can be accurately passed on to the next generation.