SMC Recombinant Proteins 

SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) recombinant proteins are engineered forms of the SMC family of proteins, which play a pivotal role in chromosome organization, segregation, and DNA repair. SMC proteins are critical for the formation of multi-protein complexes such as cohesin, condensin, and the SMC5/6 complex, all of which are essential for maintaining genome stability. Recombinant SMC proteins provide a reliable tool for studying their molecular mechanisms and applications in cell cycle regulation and genomic research.

Content of SMC Recombinant Proteins

• Structural Features:
  • Comprise a conserved ATPase head domain, a coiled-coil region, and a hinge domain.
  • Often function as dimers, forming complexes with accessory proteins.
• Post-Translational Modifications:
  • Phosphorylation and acetylation are critical for regulating SMC protein activity and complex formation.
  • Recombinant proteins can be modified in expression systems to mimic these native states.
• Validation:
  • Functional validation through ATP hydrolysis assays, protein interaction studies, and chromatin binding assays.
  • Structural integrity confirmed using techniques like mass spectrometry, SDS-PAGE, and X-ray crystallography.

Applications of SMC Recombinant Proteins

• Chromosome Dynamics Studies:
  • Investigate the role of SMC complexes in chromosome cohesion, condensation, and segregation during mitosis and meiosis.
  • Study SMC-mediated chromatin loop formation and its impact on gene regulation.
• DNA Damage Repair Research:
  • Explore SMC5/6 involvement in DNA repair pathways, such as homologous recombination and replication fork stabilization.
  • Assess SMC protein recruitment to sites of DNA damage using in vitro assays.
• Structural Biology:
  • Facilitate crystallographic and cryo-EM studies to elucidate the molecular architecture of SMC complexes.
  • Study the dynamics of SMC protein-DNA and SMC protein-protein interactions.
• Epigenetic Regulation:
  • Analyze the role of SMC proteins in organizing higher-order chromatin structures and regulating accessibility for transcription.

Recombinant SMC proteins are indispensable tools for understanding chromosome biology, maintaining genome stability, and advancing therapeutic research in cancer and genetic diseases.