RESEARCH PROFILE

Mitotic segregation of sister chromatids towards opposite spindle poles is essential for faithful transmission of genetic material during cell division. After DNA replication, the resulting sister chromatids are tethered together, a phenomenon referred to as sister chromatid cohesion. Sister chromatids are then disentangled and condensed resulting in compact rod shaped structures typical of mitotic chromosomes. Cohesion between sister chromatids facilitates bi-orientation of sister kinetochores (KTs), i.e. their attachment to microtubules (MTs) coming from opposite spindle poles. Bi-orientation results in a tug-of-war with the pulling force generated by the bipolar spindle counteracted by cohesion between sisters and the resulting tension is thought to stabilize bi-oriented sister KTs. When all the sister KTs are bi-oriented (metaphase), sister chromatid cohesion is destroyed and this triggers the movement of sister chromatids towards the opposite poles of the cell (anaphase).

Errors in chromosome segregation in humans results in aneuploidy that might cause disease (e.g. Down and Edwards syndrome), congenital defects, spontaneous abortions and cancer. Targeting the mechanisms that drive chromosome segregation is one of the most effective strategies of clinical chemotherapy against cancer. Since chromosome segregation is fundamental for cell division, mechanisms that ensure its precise execution are frequently conserved from yeast to humans. Therefore working with yeast can generate insights into the molecular basis of aneuploidy in humans. We have chosen Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast) for our studies since it is genetically tractable offering a variety of powerful biochemical and cellular techniques.

BACKGROUND

TEACHING PROFILE

Courses Taught

• Proteins Genes and Genetics
  Lectures on replication, molecular biology and human genetics

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

• No-cost extension to 20431 - Molecular analysis of SMC Proteins, Funded by: BBSRC, Project Start Date: 29/04/2013 Project End Date: 22/08/2013
• Molecular Analysis of SMC Proteins, Funded by: BBSRC, Project Start Date: 01/11/2008 Project End Date: 31/10/2012
  
  

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SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

• Dr Prakash Arumugam,Kerr G.W. Sarkar S., (2012) 'How to halve ploidy-Lessons from budding yeast meiosis' Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences (1420-682X)
• Kerr, G.W., et al.(2011) 'Meiotic nuclear divisions in budding yeast require PP2ACdc55-mediated antagonism of Net1 phosphorylation by Cdk' Journal Of Cell Biology 193 (7), 1157 - 1166 (0021-9525) [article]
• (2011) (0016-8777)
• (2011) (0016-8777)
• Arumugam, P.(2010) 'Homolog pairing during meiosis: dyneins on the move Cell Cycle' 9 (11), 2059 - 2062

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