Article
Plant Sciences
Jiayi Zhao, Xin Gui, Ziming Ren, Huiqi Fu, Chao Yang, Wenyi Wang, Qingpei Liu, Min Zhang, Chong Wang, Arp Schnittger, Bing Liu
Summary: This study demonstrates the important role of the ATM kinase in maintaining meiotic genome stability under heat stress in Arabidopsis.
Review
Cell Biology
Funda M. Kar, Andreas Hochwagen
Summary: Germ cells rely on a complex network of surveillance mechanisms to ensure the production of euploid gametes during meiosis. Dynamic protein phosphorylation, controlled by kinases and phosphatases, plays a crucial role in regulating chromosomal and cellular behavior throughout meiotic prophase. This review discusses common principles and detailed examples of how phosphorylation events are utilized to ensure faithful passage of chromosomes from one generation to the next.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chao Liu, Wei Xu, Liying Wang, Zhuo Yang, Kuan Li, Jun Hu, Yinghong Chen, Ruidan Zhang, Sai Xiao, Wenwen Liu, Huafang Wei, Jia-Yu Chen, Qianwen Sun, Wei Li
Summary: During yeast meiosis, the frequency and distribution of R-loops, a type of chromatin structure, changed significantly. We found that multiple de novo R-loops were formed during the pachytene stage and were associated with meiotic recombination. The collisions between transcription and replication could promote the formation of R-loops during meiotic DNA replication, and these R-loops were associated with Spo11. Additionally, reversing the direction of transcription or replication could eliminate meiotic recombination hotspots, while reversing both directions could reconstitute the hotspots.
CELL AND BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jonna Heldrich, Carolyn R. Milano, Tovah E. Markowitz, Sarah N. Ur, Luis A. Vale-Silva, Kevin D. Corbett, Andreas Hochwagen
Summary: Successful meiotic recombination requires conserved axis proteins, which distribute on chromosomes through two independent pathways: a cohesin-dependent pathway and a cohesin-independent pathway. These pathways result in a stereotypic distribution pattern and the formation of chromatin islands that influence chromosome structure.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Alexandra Pyatnitskaya, Jessica Andreani, Raphael Guerois, Arnaud De Muyt, Valerie Borde
Summary: This study uncovers the functional link between crossover formation and synaptonemal complex (SC) assembly during meiotic recombination and identifies the molecular mechanism involved.
GENES & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nathalie Vrielynck, Katja Schneider, Marion Rodriguez, Jason Sims, Aurelie Chambon, Aurelie Hurel, Arnaud De Muyt, Arnaud Ronceret, Ondrej Krsicka, Christine Mezard, Peter Schloegelhofer, Mathilde Grelon
Summary: Research suggests that in the initiation of meiotic recombination, MTOPVIB and PRD1 provide links between different proteins, PRD3/AtMER2 establishes a direct connection between DSB formation and recombination mechanisms, and DFO controls the formation of MTOPVIB foci.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nelson Garcia, Lu Yin, Stefanie Dukowic-Schulze, Claire Milsted, Penny M. A. Kianian, Shahryar Kianian, Wojciech P. Pawlowski, Changbin Chen
Summary: This study analyzed the differences in gene expression in male meiocytes among different maize inbred lines. The researchers found that meiotic related genes were mostly conserved among the three maize inbreds, but there were differences in a few DSB-repair/meiotic genes. The up-regulation of genes involved in limiting class I crossovers and the down-regulation of genes promoting class II crossovers in CML228 were consistent with the lower chiasmata number observed in this inbred line. The findings also suggest a possible role of epigenetics and energy-related processes in meiosis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nathalie Vrielynck, Katja Schneider, Marion Rodriguez, Jason Sims, Aurelie Chambon, Aurelie Hurel, Arnaud De Muyt, Arnaud Ronceret, Ondrej Krsicka, Christine Mezard, Peter Schlogelhofer, Mathilde Grelon
Summary: This study reveals the functions and interactions of different proteins in the process of meiotic recombination initiation, elucidating their critical roles in DSB formation and resection processes.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Kim Osman, Uthman Algopishi, James D. Higgins, Ian R. Henderson, Keith J. Edwards, F. Chris H. Franklin, Eugenio Sanchez-Moran
Summary: Meiotic recombination in wheat exhibits biased distribution of crossovers towards distal regions of chromosomes, creating challenges for plant breeders. Recent advances in wheat genomics and genome engineering, along with well-developed cytogenetics, provide new opportunities for manipulating recombination and unlocking genetic variation in wheat. This study provides a cytogenetic framework for functional studies and ongoing initiatives to manipulate recombination in the wheat genome.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kouji Hirota
Summary: Meiotic recombination is a crucial event for accurate chromosome segregation and genetic diversity in gametes. Spo11 plays a key role in initiating meiotic recombination by catalyzing double-strand breaks (DSBs). DSBs caused by Spo11 are repaired through homologous recombination, resulting in physical contact between homologous chromosomes. Recombination hotspots, non-uniformly induced sites of meiotic recombination, exist in genomes. The fission yeast ade6-M26 is a well-studied recombination hotspot.
Article
Cell Biology
Sara Gonzalez-Arranz, Isabel Acosta, Jesus A. Carballo, Beatriz Santos, Pedro A. San-Segundo
Summary: This study reveals the mechanism of polo-like kinase Cdc5 during meiotic prophase I to meiosis I transition, showing that its overexpression partially relieves the meiotic delay induced by the checkpoint. However, a mutant version lacking the N-terminal region fails to alleviate the delay. In addition, the double mutant exhibits an exacerbated meiotic block compared to the single mutant.
Article
Plant Sciences
Stefan Steckenborn, Maria Cuacos, Mohammad A. Ayoub, Chao Feng, Veit Schubert, Iris Hoffie, Gotz Hensel, Jochen Kumlehn, Stefan Heckmann
Summary: In barley, MTOPVIB is critical for meiotic DSB and accompanied SC and CO formation while dispensable for meiotic bipolar spindle formation.
PLANT REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Min-Su Lee, Mika T. Higashide, Hyungseok Choi, Ke Li, Soogil Hong, Kangseok Lee, Akira Shinohara, Miki Shinohara, Keun P. Kim
Summary: The Ecm11-Gmc2 (EG) complex plays a critical role in meiotic recombination in yeast by regulating double-strand break formation and crossover frequencies, while the SC central region is essential for controlling specificity during meiosis recombination.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biology
Dorota Rousova, Vaishnavi Nivsarkar, Veronika Altmannova, Vivek B. Raina, Saskia K. Funk, David Liedtke, Petra Janning, Franziska Mueller, Heidi Reichle, Gerben Vader, John R. Weir
Summary: This study focuses on the foundational DSB factor Mer2 and reveals its interaction with nucleosomes and a chromosomal axis factor, as well as its crucial role in DSB activity. By bridging key protein complexes involved in the initiation of meiotic recombination, Mer2 is established as a keystone of the DSB machinery.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Anna D. Russo, Stefani Giacopazzi, Alison P. Deshong, Malaika E. Menon, Valery P. Ortiz, Kaori E. Ego, Kevin P. Corbett, Needhi E. Bhalla
Summary: Sexual reproduction relies on the coordination of various meiotic events, such as pairing, synapsis, and recombination. The enzyme PCH-2 plays a crucial role in regulating these events by interacting with different members of the meiotic HORMAD protein family in the nematode C. elegans. This coordination ensures the fidelity of meiotic chromosome segregation.