Synaptic behaviour and recombination nodules in the human XY pair

Genetica ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto J. Solari

Genetics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 163 (4) ◽  
pp. 1337-1356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adelaide T C Carpenter

Abstract The meiotic phenotypes of two mutant alleles of the mei-W68 gene, 1 and L1, were studied by genetics and by serial-section electron microscopy. Despite no or reduced exchange, both mutant alleles have normal synaptonemal complex. However, neither has any early recombination nodules; instead, both exhibit high numbers of very long (up to 2 μm) structures here named “noodles.” These are hypothesized to be formed by the unchecked extension of identical but much shorter structures ephemerally seen in wild type, which may be precursors of early recombination nodules. Although the mei-W68L1 allele is identical to the mei-W681 allele in both the absence of early recombination nodules and a high frequency of noodles (i.e., it is amorphic for the noodle phene), it is hypomorphic in its effects on exchange and late recombination nodules. The differential effects of this allele on early and late recombination nodules are consistent with the hypothesis that Drosophila females have two separate recombination pathways—one for simple gene conversion, the other for exchange.



Genetics ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 166 (4) ◽  
pp. 1923-1933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorinda K Anderson ◽  
Naser Salameh ◽  
Hank W Bass ◽  
Lisa C Harper ◽  
W Z Cande ◽  
...  

Abstract Genetic linkage maps reveal the order of markers based on the frequency of recombination between markers during meiosis. Because the rate of recombination varies along chromosomes, it has been difficult to relate linkage maps to chromosome structure. Here we use cytological maps of crossing over based on recombination nodules (RNs) to predict the physical position of genetic markers on each of the 10 chromosomes of maize. This is possible because (1) all 10 maize chromosomes can be individually identified from spreads of synaptonemal complexes, (2) each RN corresponds to one crossover, and (3) the frequency of RNs on defined chromosomal segments can be converted to centimorgan values. We tested our predictions for chromosome 9 using seven genetically mapped, single-copy markers that were independently mapped on pachytene chromosomes using in situ hybridization. The correlation between predicted and observed locations was very strong (r2 = 0.996), indicating a virtual 1:1 correspondence. Thus, this new, high-resolution, cytogenetic map enables one to predict the chromosomal location of any genetically mapped marker in maize with a high degree of accuracy. This novel approach can be applied to other organisms as well.



1987 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
P B Moens ◽  
C Heyting ◽  
A J Dietrich ◽  
W van Raamsdonk ◽  
Q Chen

The axial cores of chromosomes in the meiotic prophase nuclei of most sexually reproducing organisms play a pivotal role in the arrangement of chromatin, in the synapsis of homologous chromosomes, in the process of genetic recombination, and in the disjunction of chromosomes. We report an immunogold analysis of the axial cores and the synaptonemal complexes (SC) using two mouse monoclonal antibodies raised against isolated rat SCs. In Western blots of purified SCs, antibody II52F10 recognizes a 30- and a 33-kD peptide (Heyting, C., P. B. Moens, W. van Raamsdonk, A. J. J. Dietrich, A. C. G. Vink, and E. J. W. Redeker, 1987, Eur. J. Cell Biol., 43: 148-154). In spreads of rat spermatocyte nuclei it produces gold grains over the cores of autosomal and sex chromosomes. The cores label lightly during the chromosome pairing stage (zygotene) of early meiotic prophase and they become more intensely labeled when they are parallel aligned as the lateral elements of the SC during pachytene (55 grains/micron SC). Statistical analysis of electronically recorded gold grain positions shows that the two means of the bimodal gold grain distribution coincide with the centers of the lateral elements. At diplotene, when the cores separate, the antigen is still detected along the length of the core and the enlarged ends are heavily labeled. Shadow-cast SC preparations show that recombination nodules are not labeled. The continued presence suggests that the antigens serve a continuing function in the cores, such as chromatin binding, and/or structural integrity. Antibody III15B8, which does not recognize the 30- and 33-kD peptides, produces gold grains predominantly between the lateral elements. The grain distribution is bimodal with the mean of each peak just inside the pairing face of the lateral element. The antigen is present where and while the cores of the homologous chromosomes are paired. From the location and the timing, it is assumed that the antigen recognized by III15B8 functions in chromosome pairing at meiotic prophase. The two anti-rat SC antibodies label rat and mouse SCs but not rabbit or dog SCs. A positive control using human CREST (calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia) anti-centromere serum gives equivalent labeling of SC centromeres in the rat, mouse, rabbit, and dog. It is concluded that the SC antigens recognized by II52F10 and III15B8 are not widely conserved. The two antibodies do not bind to cellular or nuclear components of somatic cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)



1998 ◽  
Vol 111 (4) ◽  
pp. 413-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.W. Plug ◽  
A.H. Peters ◽  
K.S. Keegan ◽  
M.F. Hoekstra ◽  
P. de Boer ◽  
...  

Homologous chromosome synapsis and meiotic recombination are facilitated by several meiosis-specific structures: the synaptonemal complex (SC), and two types of meiotic nodules: (1) early meiotic nodules (MNs), also called zygotene nodules or early recombination nodules, and (2) late recombination nodules (RNs). The former are thought to be nucleoprotein complexes involved in the check for homology preceding, or accompanying synapsis, while the latter have been shown to be involved in reciprocal recombination. We have examined by immunocytochemistry the meiotic localization of a series of proteins at sites along the asynapsed axial elements prior to homologous synapsis and at sites along the SCs following synapsis. Several of the proteins examined have been implicated in repair/recombination and include RAD51, a mammalian homolog of the Escherichia coli RecA protein; Replication Protein-A (RPA), a single-strand DNA binding protein; and MLH1, a mismatch repair protein which is a homolog of the E. coli MutL protein. In addition two proteins were examined that have been implicated in meiotic checkpoints: ATM, the protein mutated in the human disease Ataxia Telangiectasia, and ATR, another member of the same family of PIK kinases. We present evidence that these proteins are all components of meiotic nodules and document changes in protein composition of these structures during zygonema and pachynema of meiotic prophase in mouse spermatocytes. These studies support the supposition that a subset of MNs are converted into RNs. However, our data also demonstrate changes in protein composition within the context of early MNs, suggesting a differentiation of these nodules during the process of synapsis. The same changes in protein composition occurred on both the normal X axis, which has no homologous pairing partner in spermatocytes, and on the axes of aberrant chromosomes that nonhomologously synapse during synaptic adjustment. These findings suggest that DNA sequences associated with MNs still must undergo an obligatory processing, even in the absence of interactions between homologous chromosomes.



2002 ◽  
Vol 115 (8) ◽  
pp. 1611-1622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter B. Moens ◽  
Nadine K. Kolas ◽  
Madalena Tarsounas ◽  
Edyta Marcon ◽  
Paula E. Cohen ◽  
...  

During mouse meiosis, the early prophase RAD51/DMC1 recombination protein sites, which are associated with the chromosome cores and which serve as markers for ongoing DNA-DNA interactions, are in ten-fold excess of the eventual reciprocal recombinant events. Most, if not all, of these early interactions are eliminated as prophase progresses. The manner in which these sites are eliminated is the focus of this investigation. We report that these sites acquire replication protein A, RPA and the Escherichia coliMUTS homologue, MSH4p, and somewhat later the Bloom helicase, BLM, while simultaneously losing the RAD51/DMC1 component. Eventually the RPA component is also lost and BLM sites remain. At that time, the MUTL homologue, MLH1p,which is essential for reciprocal recombination in the mouse, appears in numbers and locations that correspond to the distribution of reciprocal recombination events. However, the MLH1 foci do not appear to coincide with the remaining BLM sites. The MLH1p is specifically localized to electron-microscope-defined recombination nodules. We consider the possibility that the homology-search RAD51/DMC1 complexes are involved in homologous chromosome synapsis but that most of these early DNA-DNA interactions are later resolved by the anti-recombination RPA/MSH4/BLM-topoisomerase complex,thereby preventing the formation of superfluous reciprocal recombinant events.



1981 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 305-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Preben B. Holm ◽  
Søren W. Rasmussen ◽  
Denise Zickler ◽  
Benjamin C. Lu ◽  
Jean Sage


Genome ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 308-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
M I Pigozzi ◽  
A J Solari

Pigeon spermatocytes were processed with a drying-down technique and their synaptonemal complex (SC) complements were analyzed by electron microscopy. The synaptonemal complex karyotype of the macrobivalents shows an excellent correspondence with the mitotic karyotype. The number and distribution of recombination nodules (RNs) were scored in complete nuclei stained with phosphotungstic acid. The average number of RNs per nucleus is 64.7. The number of nodules per bivalent shows a clear linear relationship with SC length in the 10 longest synaptonemal complexes, while the microbivalents usually bear a single RN. The location of RNs has a non-random distribution along the largest synaptonemal complexes, with lower frequencies near kinetochores and higher frequencies toward the telomeres. The ZZ bivalent is the fourth in size and shows free recombination, having on average 3.8 RNs. The mean number of nodules per cell and the mean number of nodules in the largest bivalents show very good agreement with the corresponding number of chiasmata scored in metaphase-I spermatocytes. It is concluded that the recombination nodules provide a good check for reciprocal exchanges in this and other species of birds. Additionally, a new morphology for the recombination nodules is presented, consisting of groups of electron-dense particles measuring 43 nm in diameter.Key words: meiosis, chiasmata, recombination nodules, pigeon spermatogenesis.



1986 ◽  
Vol 43 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 187-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.I. Rahn ◽  
A.J. Solari


1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Braselton

Reconstructions based on electron microscopy of serial thin sections of three pachytene nuclei of Plasmodiophora brassicae Woron. showed 20 synaptonemal complexes (SCs) and thus indicated a haploid chromosomal number of 20. No recombination nodules were observed, but modified regions with lateral elements more electron opaque than the rest of the SCs were reported. Ends of SCs attached to the nuclear envelope and clustered near the two centriole pairs.



Author(s):  
Natalia Felipe-Medina ◽  
Sandrine Caburet ◽  
Fernando Sánchez-Sáez ◽  
Yazmine B. Condezo ◽  
Dirk de Rooij ◽  
...  

AbstractPrimary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) is a major cause of infertility, but its etiology remains poorly understood. Using whole-exome sequencing in a family with 3 cases of POI, we identified the candidate missense variant S167L in HSF2BP, an essential meiotic gene. Functional analysis of the HSF2BP-S167L variant in mouse, compared to a new HSF2BP knock-out mouse showed that it behaves as a hypomorphic allele. HSF2BP-S167L females show reduced fertility with small litter sizes. To obtain mechanistic insights, we identified C19ORF57/MIDAP as a strong interactor and stabilizer of HSF2BP by forming a higher-order macromolecular structure involving BRCA2, RAD51, RPA and PALB2. Meiocytes bearing the HSF2BP-S167L mutation showed a strongly decreased expression of both MIDAP and HSF2BP at the recombination nodules. Although HSF2BP-S167L does not affect heterodimerization between HSF2BP and MIDAP, it promotes a lower expression of both proteins and a less proficient activity in replacing RPA by the recombinases RAD51/DMC1, thus leading to a lower frequency of cross-overs. Our results provide insights into the molecular mechanism of two novel actors of meiosis underlying non-syndromic ovarian insufficiency.SummaryFelipe-Medina et al. describe a missense variant in the meiotic gene HSF2BP in a consanguineous family with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency, and characterize it as an hypormorphic allele, that in vivo impairs its dimerization with a novel meiotic actor, MIDAP/ C19ORF57, and affect recombination at double-strand DNA breaks.



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