Elucidation of functions of chromosome ends

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Functions of non-coding DNA region for genome integrity
• Project/Area Number: 23114009
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: KANOH JUNKO 大阪大学, たんぱく質研究所, 准教授 (10323809)
• Research Collaborator: TASHIRO Sanki ; FUJITA Ikumi ; NISHIHARA Yuki ; INOUE Haruna ; BAN Takuto ; MIYASATO Kazumi ; TANAKA Makiko ; TAKESHITA Yumiko ; TAKEUCHI Miho ; SUGIMOTO Shizuka
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 染色体 / テロメア / サブテロメア / クロマチン / 遺伝子発現

Outline of Final Research Achievements

I investigated the mechanisms of novel functions and novel regulations of telomeres and subtelomeres at chromosome ends in eukaryotes. I found that Rap1, a telomere-binding protein, is phosphorylated by Cdc2 at M phase, which induces transient release of telomeres from the nuclear envelope, ensuring proper chromosome segregation. I also analyzed the mechanisms of formation of telomere protein complexes and their physiological importance. Furthermore, I investigated the functions of Sgo2, a shugoshin-family protein, at subtelomeres. Sgo2 is localized at subtelomeres only at interphase and plays various roles, such as replication timing control.

Free Research Field

分子生物学