ESCO2

An article about the ESCO2 gene and its role in human biology

ESCO2

Chromosomal location of the ESCO2 gene

ESCO2 is a gene that encodes the establishment of sister chromatid cohesion N-acetyltransferase 2 protein, which is crucial for proper chromosome segregation during cell division. This gene is located on the short arm of chromosome 8 at position 21.1.

Function

The ESCO2 protein is involved in the cohesin complex, which is essential for the proper alignment and separation of sister chromatids during mitosis and meiosis. The cohesin complex ensures that sister chromatids are held together from the time of their replication in the S phase until their separation during anaphase.

Clinical significance

Mutations in the ESCO2 gene are associated with Roberts syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by growth retardation, limb malformations, and craniofacial abnormalities. This condition is caused by the failure of proper chromatid cohesion, leading to chromosomal instability.

Molecular biology

The ESCO2 gene is expressed in various tissues, and its protein product is localized to the nucleus where it acetylates the SMC3 subunit of the cohesin complex. This acetylation is necessary for the establishment of sister chromatid cohesion.

Research

Ongoing research is focused on understanding the precise molecular mechanisms by which ESCO2 and the cohesin complex regulate chromatid cohesion and how mutations in this gene lead to the phenotypic manifestations of Roberts syndrome.

Related pages

• Chromosome 8
• Cohesin
• Roberts syndrome
• Mitosis
• Meiosis