How cells keep chromosomes in order when they divide
Control of Chromosome Segregation by DNA Topoisomerase II
This project looks at how the enzyme Topoisomerase II helps prevent chromosome errors that can lead to birth defects and cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11292415 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work studies a cell safeguard called the Topo II-responsive control (TRC) that pauses cell division when Topo II becomes trapped and chromosomes risk being mis-segregated. The team uses yeast and human cells plus biochemical and molecular tools to identify the proteins that trigger TRC, including the E3 ligase that adds SUMO and the substrates of Aurora B kinase. They will test how trapped Topo II in a ‘closed clamp’ form leads to SUMOylation and activation of Mad2 to stop anaphase. Learning this pathway aims to explain how aneuploidy arises and point to molecular targets related to cancer and birth defects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients and instead uses laboratory experiments with yeast and human cells rather than clinical volunteers.
Not a fit: Because it is lab-based basic research, people with active medical conditions are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal molecular targets to help prevent or treat conditions caused by chromosome mis-segregation, including some cancers and birth defects.
How similar studies have performed: Related basic research has shown that cell-cycle checkpoints and SUMOylation influence chromosome segregation, but the specific TRC mechanism here is relatively new and not yet translated into therapies.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clarke, Duncan J. — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Clarke, Duncan J.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.