This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Apoptosis is an active form of cell death that plays a crucial role in the development of all metazoans. Recent studies show that cohesin, a protein complex that regulates sister chromatid cohesion, plays an important role in apoptosis. Suppression of cohesin RAD21 reduces the ability for cell proliferation and increases the level of apoptosis. RAD21 is also found to be overexpressed in prostate and breast cancer cells. Understanding of role of cohesin in apoptosis will enhance our knowledge of cancer biology. Our recent studies showed that mutations of cohesin in yeast cause apoptotic cell death. External stimuli, such as hydrogen peroxide, causes cohesin translocated from nucleus to mitochondria, which plays an important role in apoptosis. We propose here to study the function of cohesin in apoptosis using budding yeast as model system. Our goal is to understand the function of cohesin as it relates to the molecular mechanisms that regulate the complex process of apoptosis.
Showing the most recent 10 out of 325 publications
