Condensin’s ATPase Machinery Drives and Dampens Mitotic Chromosome Condensation

Ahmed M.O. Elbatsh; Eugene Kim; Jorine M. Eeftens; Jonne A. Raaijmakers; Robin H. van der Weide; Alberto García-Nieto; Sol Bravo; Mahipal Ganji; Jelmi uit de Bos; Hans Teunissen; René H. Medema; Elzo de Wit; Christian H. Haering; Cees Dekker; Benjamin D. Rowland

doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2019.09.020

Molecular BiologyMolecular CellOct 16, 2019

Peer-reviewed journal article

Condensin’s ATPase Machinery Drives and Dampens Mitotic Chromosome Condensation

Ahmed M.O. Elbatsh iD, Eugene Kim iD, Jorine M. Eeftens iD, Jonne A. Raaijmakers iD, Robin H. van der Weide iD, Alberto García-Nieto, Sol Bravo iD, Mahipal Ganji iD, Jelmi uit de Bos iD, Hans Teunissen, René H. Medema iD, Elzo de Wit iD, Christian H. Haering iD, Cees Dekker iD, Benjamin D. Rowland iD

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Abstract

Chromosome condensation by condensin is essential for faithful chromosome segregation. Metazoans have two complexes, named condensin I and II. Both are thought to act by creating looped structures in DNA, but how they do so is unknown. Condensins SMC subunits together form a composite ATPase with two pseudo-symmetric ATPase sites. We reveal that these sites have opposite functions in the condensation process. One site drives condensation, while the other site rather has a dampening function. Mutation of this dampener site hyperactivates both condensin I and II complexes. We find that hyperactive condensin I efficiently shortens chromosomes in the total absence of condensin II. The two complexes form loops with different lengths, and specifically condensin II is key to the decatenation of sister chromatids and the formation of a straight chromosomal axis.