SMC4

This gene belongs to the 'structural maintenance of chromosomes' (SMC) gene family. Members of this gene family play a role in two changes in chromosome structure during mitotic segregation of chromosomes- chromosome condensation and sister chromatid cohesion. The protein encoded by this gene is likely a subunit of the 13S condensin complex, which is involved in chromosome condensation. A pseudogene related to this gene is located on chromosome 2. [provided by RefSeq, Jun 2016]

Full Name

Structural Maintenance Of Chromosomes 4

Function

Central component of the condensin complex, a complex required for conversion of interphase chromatin into mitotic-like condense chromosomes. The condensin complex probably introduces positive supercoils into relaxed DNA in the presence of type I topoisomerases and converts nicked DNA into positive knotted forms in the presence of type II topoisomerases.

Biological Process

Biological Process cell divisionIEA:UniProtKB-KW
Biological Process kinetochore organizationIEA:Ensembl
Biological Process meiotic chromosome condensationIEA:Ensembl
Biological Process meiotic chromosome segregationIEA:Ensembl
Biological Process mitotic chromosome condensationManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:UniProtKB
Biological Process mitotic sister chromatid segregationManual Assertion Based On ExperimentTAS:UniProtKB
Biological Process positive regulation of chromosome condensationManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:ComplexPortal
Biological Process positive regulation of chromosome segregationIEA:Ensembl
Biological Process positive regulation of chromosome separationIEA:Ensembl

Cellular Location

Nucleus
Cytoplasm
Chromosome
In interphase cells, the majority of the condensin complex is found in the cytoplasm, while a minority of the complex is associated with chromatin. A subpopulation of the complex however remains associated with chromosome foci in interphase cells. During mitosis, most of the condensin complex is associated with the chromatin. At the onset of prophase, the regulatory subunits of the complex are phosphorylated by CDC2, leading to condensin's association with chromosome arms and to chromosome condensation. Dissociation from chromosomes is observed in late telophase.