Mutations in the ELG1 gene of yeast lead to genomic instability, manifested in 
high levels of genetic recombination, chromosome loss, and gross chromosomal 
rearrangements. Elg1 shows similarity to the large subunit of the Replication 
Factor C clamp loader, and forms a RFC-like (RLC) complex in conjunction with 
the 4 small RFC subunits. Two additional RLCs exist in yeast: in one of them the 
large subunit is Ctf18, and in the other, Rad24. Ctf18 has been characterized as 
the RLC that functions in sister chromatid cohesion. Here we present evidence 
that the Elg1 RLC (but not Rad24) also plays an important role in this process. 
A genetic screen identified the cohesin subunit Mcd1/Scc1 and its loader Scc2 as 
suppressors of the synthetic lethality between elg1 and ctf4. We describe 
genetic interactions between ELG1 and genes encoding cohesin subunits and their 
accessory proteins. We also show that defects in Elg1 lead to higher precocious 
sister chromatid separation, and that Ctf18 and Elg1 affect cohesion via a joint 
pathway. Finally, we localize both Ctf18 and Elg1 to chromatin and show that 
Elg1 plays a role in the recruitment of Ctf18. Our results suggest that Elg1, 
Ctf4, and Ctf18 may coordinate the relative movement of the replication fork 
with respect to the cohesin ring.