Laboratory of Structural Proteins of Eukaryotic Chromosomes
Research topics
Genetic information is stored in chromosomes, which reside in the cell nucleus. However, the length of DNA molecules is 1000-10000 times bigger than the diameter of the nucleus. To help billions of bases fit into the small nucleus, histone and other chromatin-associated proteins come and fold DNA into condensed fibres. The SMC (Structure maintenance of chromosome) complexes are the key components of such chromatin folding and play important roles in genome stability. They are conserved from bacteria to humans. Three SMC complexes are present in most eukaryotic cells: cohesin (SMC1/3), condensin (SMC2/4) and SMC5/6 complex. Cohesin can make internal loops or embrace two sister chromatids (a feature essential for proper chromosome segregation). Condensin interconnects loops to condense chromatin during mitosis. The SMC5/6 complex is involved in recombination-based DNA repair, replication fork stability, and antiviral protection.
SPEC is a member of research group:
Research areas
We study the assembly and functions of chromatin complexes (particularly, SMC5/6 complex). We use a combination of genetic (fission yeast model), biochemical (mostly yeast two-hybrid system and other binding assays) and bioinformatics methods to get deep insights into their features. We have characterized most of the SMC5/6 subunits (from different organisms) - their protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. Particularly, we discovered several important features of the Nse3 (non-SMC element) KITE subunit of SMC5/6: its role in the structural organization of SMC5/6, its DNA-binding ability, its evolution from bacteria to novel mammalian (MAGE) protein superfamily. In addition, we participated in the characterization of new human chromosome breakage syndrome associated with Nse3 mutations.
Team members
- Group leader: Jan Paleček
- Postdocs: Barbora Štefanovie, Peter Kolesár
- PhD students: Jitka Vaculíková, Barbora Králová, Siarhei Paliavoi, Lenka Mahrik (on maternity leave)
- Alumni: Marek Adamus, Marc Guerineau, Lucie Kozáková, Edit Lelkes, Lucie Vondrová, Kateřina Zabrady
