A New Thermosensitive smc-3 Allele Reveals Involvement of Cohesin in Homologous Recombination in C. elegans
2011

Cohesin's Role in DNA Repair in C. elegans

publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Baudrimont Antoine, Penkner Alexandra, Woglar Alexander, Mamnun Yasmine M., Hulek Margot, Struck Cathrin, Schnabel Ralf, Loidl Josef, Jantsch Verena

Primary Institution: Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Department of Chromosome Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Hypothesis

The cohesin complex is essential for the repair of DNA double-strand breaks during meiosis and mitosis.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that reduced cohesin levels impair DNA repair processes while maintaining sister chromatid cohesion.

Supporting Evidence

  • Cohesin is required for the cohesion of sister chromatids during cell division.
  • Attenuation of cohesin leads to increased DNA double-strand breaks.
  • The study found that weakened cohesin affects both meiotic and mitotic DNA repair.

Takeaway

Cohesin helps fix broken DNA in cells, and when there's not enough of it, the cells can't repair themselves properly, even though they can still stick together.

Methodology

The study involved isolating a temperature-sensitive smc-3 allele and analyzing its effects on DNA repair and chromosome behavior in C. elegans.

Limitations

The study primarily focuses on a single allele and may not represent all cohesin functions across different contexts.

Participant Demographics

C. elegans hermaphrodites were used in the study.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0024799

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication