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Abstract
The S. cerevisiae MCD1 (mitotic chromosome determinant) gene was identified in genetic
screens for genes important for chromosome structure. MCD1 is essential for viability
and homologs are found from yeast to humans. Analysis of the mcd1 mutant and cell
cycle-dependent expression pattern of Mcd1p suggest that this protein functions in
chromosome morphogenesis from S phase through mitosis. The mcd1 mutant is defective
in sister chromatid cohesion and chromosome condensation. The physical association
between Mcd1p and Smc1p, one of the SMC family of chromosomal proteins, further suggests
that Mcd1p functions directly on chromosomes. These data implicate Mcd1p as a nexus
between cohesion and condensation. We present a model for mitotic chromosome structure
that incorporates this previously unsuspected link.