Establishment of Sister Chromatid Cohesion During Chromosome Replication

Abstract

In every round of cell division, two newly duplicated sister chromatids are held together by the ring-shaped cohesin complex to ensure faithful inheritance of chromosomes in dividing cells. The cohesin complex mediates sister chromatid cohesion by topologically entrapping two replicated DNAs within the ring cavity. Recent studies with purified cohesin have begun to reveal the biochemical properties that control chromosome organisation. This review summarises these biochemical studies and discusses how cohesin associates with DNA and establishes sister chromatid cohesion.