Using cell cycle-restricted alleles to study the chromatin dynamics and functions of the structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) complexes in vivo

Abstract

SMC complexes play fundamental functions in chromosome architecture and organization as well as in DNA replication and repair throughout the cell cycle. The essential nature of the SMC components makes the study of their specific functions challenging. In this chapter, we describe the application of cell cycle tags to S. cerevisiae SMC genes. The cell cycle tags regulate both gene expression and protein degradation, allowing for restriction of the gene of interest to either the S or the G2/M phase. In case of SMC genes, the tags lead to valuable mutants that can bring insights into cell cycle specific essential functions, chromatin binding pattern and functional interactions. Here, we describe the generation of the cell cycle-restricted mutants in diploid and haploid cells and the validation of their functionality with several approaches.