Structural studies of a common domain between a regulatory complex involved in DNA methylation and SMC complexes for chromosome maintenance

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26440039
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Structural biochemistry
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: KAMADA Katsuhiko 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 平野染色体ダイナミクス研究室, 専任研究員 (70360526)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 蛋白質複合体 / 染色体凝縮 / Ｘ線結晶構造解析 / エピジェネティック

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In recent years, many protein complexes involved in epigenetic gene control were genetically identified. Interestingly, a plant-specific protein complex participating in the regulation contains a hinge-like domain commonly found in proteins, which are involved in eukaryotic chromosome condensation. I investigated the structural relationship of the domain found over these two systems. The crystal structure of the hinge domain of the bacterial SMC protein reveals an asymmetric dimer with a half-opened interface, clarifying involvement of the domain for conformational changes of the overall structure within the SMC complex. I also identified minimal components of the plant-specific complex essential for the stable association to aim further structural analysis.

Free Research Field

構造生物学