What is Shugosin?

April 26, 2023

Chromosomes are an essential part of our DNA, and they have been the subject of much scientific research for centuries. Researchers have recently identified Shugoshin, a protein that plays a crucial to the formation of the iconic X-shape of chromosomes.

Discovery of Chromosomes

Chromosomes were found during the late 1800s following the development of the light microscope. They function as the fundamental components of DNA, which is accountable for the transfer of hereditary data from parents to their offspring. The X chromosome, which is one of two sex chromosomes that ascertain gender, extends over approximately 155 million base pairs of DNA building blocks.

Role of Shugoshin

Recently, scientists have identified the protein Shugoshin as the key protein that “locks” the X chromosome into its famous X shape. Shugoshin is also known as SGO1 and is responsible for holding together two identical long DNA threads, which make up a chromosome. Shugoshin uses a molecular key that fits precisely into a kind of keyhole in cohesin, ring-shaped molecules that hold the two threads together. Shugoshin locks the cohesin rings and creates the iconic X shape of chromosomes.

Discovery of Shugoshin

Professor Daniel Panne from the University of Leicester and Dr Benjamin Rowland of the Netherlands Cancer Institute led the team that discovered the role of Shugoshin. The researchers saw a suspicious similarity between two molecules in the nucleus of cells, which led them to investigate further. They found that Shugoshin uses a molecular key to lock cohesin rings and create the X shape of chromosomes.

Implications for DNA Structure

Determining the structure of DNA has significant implications for the behavior of our cells. DNA is the code of life, and its structure determines the function of DNA. If scientists can determine the structure of DNA, it could have huge implications for the future of medical research and treatment.

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