Structural maintenance of chromosomes protein 1B (SMC1B)

Structural maintenance of chromosomes protein 1B (SMC1B) is a member of the SMC protein family, acting as a critical subunit of the cohesin complex, primarily required for chromosome organization, sister chromatid cohesion, and recombination during meiosis. Unlike its paralog SMC1A, which is core to mitotic cohesion, SMC1B is essential for germline integrity, playing pivotal roles in chromatid pairing, synaptonemal complex formation, and telomere protection in gametogenesis. Recent evidence shows that SMC1B also functions in somatic cells, associating with cohesin complex partners such as SMC3 and RAD21 and contributing to genome stability especially in response to DNA damage (e.g., irradiation). Depletion of SMC1B impairs transcription of gene clusters, suggesting a broader role in chromatin regulation. Mutations or deficiency of SMC1B lead to meiotic arrest, infertility, and can contribute to aneuploidy, while aberrant gene regulation in somatic tissues may be implicated in disease states related to genomic instability.

Other names

SMC1BSMC1L2SMC protein 1BSMC-1-betaSMC-1BbK268H5SMC1BETAmitosis-specific chromosome segregation protein like protein beta