| Type: | Family | Name: | Structural maintenance of chromosomes protein |
| Description: | The SMC (structural maintenance of chromosomes) family of proteins, exist in virtually all organisms, including bacteria and archaea. The SMC proteins are essential for successful chromosome transmission during replication and segregation of the genome in all organisms. They function together with other proteins in a range of chromosomal transactions, including chromosome condensation, sister-chromatid cohesion, recombination, DNA repair and epigenetic silencing of gene expression [].SMCs are generally present as single proteins in bacteria, and as at least six distinct proteins in eukaryotes. The proteins range in size from approximately 110 to 170 kDa, and share a five-domain structure, with globular N- and C-terminal domains separated by a long (circa 100 nm or 900 residues) coiled coil segment in the centre of which is a globular ''hinge'' domain, characterised by a set of four highly conserved glycine residuesthat are typical of flexible regions in a protein. The amino-terminal domain contains a 'Walker A' nucleotide-binding domain (GxxGxGKS/T), which has been shown by mutational studies to be essential in several proteins. The carboxy-terminal domain contains a sequence (the DA-box) that resembles a 'Walker B' motif (XXXXD, where X is any hydrophobic residue), and a LSGG motif with homology to the signature sequence of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family of ATPases []. All SMC proteins appear to form dimers, either forming homodimers, as in the case of prokaryotic SMC proteins, or heterodimers between different but related SMC proteins. The dimers form core components of large multiprotein complexes. The best known complexes are cohesin, which is responsible for sister-chromatid cohesion, and condensin, which is required for full chromosome condensation in mitosis. SMC dimers are arranged in an antiparallel alignment. This orientation brings the N- and C-terminal globular domains (from either different or identical protamers) together, which unites an ATP binding site (Walker A motif) within the N-terminal domain with a Walker B motif (DA box) within the C-terminal domain, to form a potentially functional ATPase. Protein interaction and microscopy data suggest that SMC dimers form a ring-like structure which might embrace DNA molecules. Non-SMC subunits associate with the SMC amino- and carboxy-terminal domains.Proteins in this entry include SMC1/2/3/4 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. SMC1-SMC3 heterodimer is part of the cohesin complex, which is required for sister chromatid cohesion in mitosis and meiosis []. SMC2-SMC4 heterodimer is part of the condensin complex, which is required for chromosome condensation during both mitosis and meiosis [, ]. | Short Name: | SMC |
| DB identifier | Type | Name |
|---|---|---|
| IPR027120 | Family | Structural maintenance of chromosomes Smc2 |
| IPR029685 | Family | Structural maintenance of chromosomes protein 3 |
| IPR028468 | Family | Structural maintenance of chromosomes protein 1 |
| IPR011890 | Family | Structural maintenance of chromosomes protein, prokaryotic |
| IPR029683 | Family | Structural maintenance of chromosomes protein 1A |
