ROLE OF COHESION IN APOPTOTIC CELL DEATH

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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 to be translocated from nucleus to mitochondria, which plays an important role in apoptosis. Using budding yeast as model system, our objective is to elucidate the function of cohesin and to identify the molecular mechanism and role of cohesin in the process of apoptosis.