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Review

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 3, 767–778 (1 October 2002) | doi:10.1038/nrm930

The many functions of smc proteins in chromosome dynamics

Rolf Jessberger

Members of the structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) family share a characteristic design and configuration of protein domains that provides the molecular basis for the various functions of this family in chromosome dynamics. SMC proteins have a role in chromosome condensation, sister-chromatid cohesion, DNA repair and recombination, and gene dosage compensation, and they function in somatic and meiotic cells. As more is learned about how their unique design affects their function, a picture of a dynamic and varied protein family is emerging.