Understanding how chromosomes are accurately divided during cell division is crucial for maintaining genetic stability. Errors in this process, like losing or gaining chromosomes, can lead to diseases such as cancer and birth defects.

This HALRIC pilot project is a collaboration between teams from the University of Oslo in Norway and Lund University in Sweden, marking their first joint effort. By understanding how chromosomes are properly segregated, their research aims to develop better therapies for cancer and birth defects and address genetic instability issues related to aging and fertility.

Chromosome segregation is controlled at a specific chromosome region called the centromere, where sister chromatids are held together. This is where microtubules attach to pull chromosomes into new cells. The centromere attracts various enzymes that regulate the alignment and separation of chromosomes. One critical protein in this process is shugoshin (Japanese for ‘guardian spirit’), which can recruit enzyme complexes that have both kinase (CPC with Aurora B kinase) and phosphatase (PP2A) activities. However, it is unclear if these enzyme activities can be simultaneously recruited.

The Sekulic lab in Oslo will produce the necessary proteins, which will then be analyzed by the Nilsson and Wahlgren labs in Lund using specialized biophysical techniques. They will test both normal and modified proteins to gain insights into the complex’s behavior and function. More specifically, the researchers will use small infrastructures (A4F, UV-MALS-dRI) at Lund University and the large synchrotron infrastructure (SAXS) at MAXIV to characterize the complexes shugoshin makes with CPC and/or PP2A.

For further information about this HALRIC pilot project, please contact:
nikolina.sekulic@ncmm.uio.no