Abstract

Cohesin establishes sister‐chromatid cohesion during S phase to ensure proper chromosome segregation in mitosis. It also facilitates postreplicative homologous recombination repair of DNA double‐strand breaks by promoting local pairing of damaged and intact sister chromatids. In G2 phase, cohesin that is not bound to chromatin is inactivated, but its reactivation can occur in response to DNA damage. Recent papers by Koshland's and Sjögren's groups describe the critical role of the known cohesin cofactor Eco1 (Ctf7) and ATR checkpoint kinase in damage‐induced reactivation of cohesin, revealing an intricate mechanism that regulates sister‐chromatid pairing to maintain genome integrity.1,2 BioEssays 30:5–9, 2008. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.