Speaker: Xiaolan Zhao, Ph.D. (Professor, Member & Laboratory Head, Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Time: 13:00 - 14:30 p.m., Oct 11, 2024, GMT+8

Venue: Youcai Deng Lecture Hall, School of Life Sciences, PKU

Abstract:

SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) complexes play essential roles as genome regulators in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The canonical functions of SMCs include organizing DNA into domains and structures, packing the genome into the nucleus, and compacting DNA into chromosomes. These roles are most evident for eukaryotic cohesin and condensin SMCs. In contrast, the third eukaryotic SMC, the Smc5/6 complex, has been discovered to participate in regulating DNA replication and genome repair, as well as restraining viral circular DNA. We and others have placed Smc5/6 in the processes of promoting leading strand synthesis, preventing replication fork reversal, and facilitating the removal of recombinational repair intermediates. How can Smc5/6 carry out the diverse functions identified thus far? Our recent collaborative efforts combine cryo-EM and single-molecule approaches with functional studies to elucidate the unique features of Smc5/6 that are distinct from cohesin and condensin, and how these features could explain that its functional mechanisms. These characteristics offer insights into how Smc5/6 functions as one of the most versatile factors for genome maintenance and protection.

Source: School of Life Sciences, PKU