Synaptonemal complexes in the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-213
Author(s):  
Annelise Fiil
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Membrane ◽  
Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽  
Meiotic Prophase ◽  
Crossing Over ◽  
Serial Sections ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Synaptonemal Complexes ◽  
Meiosis I

The presence of synaptonemal complexes between the paired homologous chromosomes at meiotic prophase is a prerequisite for meiotic crossing over, and it may be important for the regular disjunctions of the chromosomes at meiosis I (Moses, 1968; Westergaard and von Wettstein, 1972; Gillies, 1975). Reconstructions of nuclei during zygotene and pachytene have shown that the ends of the synaptonemal complexes in many organisms are attached to the nuclear membrane, often in a polarized fashion (Moens, 1969; Rasmussen, 1976); such a bouquet arrangement of the chromosomes is found in Culex.Materials and MethodsOvaries from Culex quinquefasciatus were fixed in glutaraldehyde, followed by 0s04, and embedded in Epon. The synaptonemal complexes were reconstructed from serial sections.Results and DiscussionCulex has 3 pairs of very long metacentric or slightly submetacentric chromosomes which during pachytene loop around the nucleus several times (Fig. 1). The centromeric regions are fused, and the synaptonemal complexes do not continue through the structure.

scholarly journals Heterochromatin Interactions Maintain Homologous Centromere Associations in Mouse Spermatocyte Meiosis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoa H. Chuong ◽  
Craig Eyster ◽  
Chih-Ying Lee ◽  
Roberto J. Pezza ◽  
Dean Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Meiotic Prophase ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
Centromeric Heterochromatin ◽  
Crossing Over ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Meiosis I

SummaryIn meiosis, crossovers between homologous chromosomes link them together. This enables them to attach to microtubules of the meiotic spindle as a unit, such that the homologs will be pulled away from one another at anaphase I. Homologous pairs can sometimes fail to become linked by crossovers. In some organisms, these non-exchange partners are still able segregate properly. In several organisms, associations between the centromeres of non-exchange partners occur in meiotic prophase. These associations have been proposed to promote segregation in meiosis I. But how centromere pairing could promote subsequent proper segregation is unclear. Here we report that meiotic centromere pairing if chromosomes in mouse spermatocytes allows the formation of an association between chromosome pairs. We find that peri-centromeric heterochromatin connections tether the centromeres of chromosome pairs after dissolution of centromere paring. Our results suggest that, in mouse spermatocytes, heterochromatin maintains the association of chromosome centromeres in the absence crossing-over.

scholarly journals A Preliminary Note on the Pollen Development of Lathyrus Odoratus

1925 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-209
Author(s):  
JOAN LATTER
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Membrane ◽  
Pollen Development ◽  
Cell Walls ◽  
Crossing Over ◽  
Haploid Number ◽  
Preliminary Note ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Lathyrus Odoratus ◽  
Thread Formation ◽  
Contraction Stage

1. In this paper the main points in the pollen development of Lathyrus odoratus are briefly described. At the beginning of the meiotic phase the reticulum contracts from the nuclear membrane and exhibits an entirely granular appearance. 2. During thread formation, occasional amœboid nucleoli are observed. Nucleolar "budding" is also seen. 3. Connecting strands are constantly found between the synizetic knot and the nucleolus. 4. The thread at all stages appears usually to be a continuous structure. 5. The synizetic knot is followed by a stage in which the thread is thrown into seven definite loops which radiate out from the centre of the nucleus. For this stage, which has frequently been called the second contraction stage in cytological literature, the name broxonema is proposed. 6. The haploid number of chromosomes in Lathyrus odoratus is seven. Each loop represents one pair of homologous chromosomes joined distally end to end. 7. The arms of each loop are twisted round one another at one period. This affords opportunity for exchange of segments of chromosomes, and gives a possible physical basis for crossing over in a telosynaptic form. 8. These stages are followed by typical diakinesis and heterotypic divisions. 9. During homotypic telophase evanescent cell plates occur between the daughter nuclei. Later, the cell walls are formed by furrowing. 10. The tapetum remains uninucleate throughout.

scholarly journals Telomeres and centromeres have interchangeable roles in promoting meiotic spindle formation

2015 ◽  
Vol 208 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Fennell ◽  
Alfonso Fernández-Álvarez ◽  
Kazunori Tomita ◽  
Julia Promisel Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Nuclear Membrane ◽  
Meiotic Prophase ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Spindle Formation ◽  
Domain Protein ◽  
Bipolar Spindles ◽  
Sun Domain ◽  
Meiosis I

Telomeres and centromeres have traditionally been considered to perform distinct roles. During meiotic prophase, in a conserved chromosomal configuration called the bouquet, telomeres gather to the nuclear membrane (NM), often near centrosomes. We found previously that upon disruption of the fission yeast bouquet, centrosomes failed to insert into the NM at meiosis I and nucleate bipolar spindles. Hence, the trans-NM association of telomeres with centrosomes during prophase is crucial for efficient spindle formation. Nonetheless, in approximately half of bouquet-deficient meiocytes, spindles form properly. Here, we show that bouquet-deficient cells can successfully undergo meiosis using centromere–centrosome contact instead of telomere–centrosome contact to generate spindle formation. Accordingly, forced association between centromeres and centrosomes fully rescued the spindle defects incurred by bouquet disruption. Telomeres and centromeres both stimulate focal accumulation of the SUN domain protein Sad1 beneath the centrosome, suggesting a molecular underpinning for their shared spindle-generating ability. Our observations demonstrate an unanticipated level of interchangeability between the two most prominent chromosomal landmarks.

Using a Model to Teach Crossing Over

2017 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 305-308
Author(s):  
Feride Keskin ◽  
Aylin Çam
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Crossing Over ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Meiosis I

The purpose of this activity is to model the formation of homologous chromosomes and the crossing over realized in meiosis I cell division. The model established through the activities conducted will allow students to visualize homologous chromosomes and the formation of crossing over among them. The model will help students to understand how homologous chromosomes occur and how crossing over is realized between homologous chromosomes whose chromatids are not sisters. The developed model is found to be an effective tool in teaching crossing over.

scholarly journals Shugoshin protects centromere pairing and promotes segregation of non-exchange partner chromosomes in meiosis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana Previato de Almeida ◽  
Jared M. Evatt ◽  
Hoa H. Chuong ◽  
Emily L. Kurdzo ◽  
Craig A. Eyster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptonemal Complex ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Meiotic Prophase ◽  
Single Unit ◽  
Meiotic Chromosome ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Meiosis I

ABSTRACTFaithful chromosome segregation during meiosis I depends upon the formation of connections between homologous chromosomes. Crossovers between homologs connect the partners allowing them to attach to the meiotic spindle as a unit, such that they migrate away from one another at anaphase I. Homologous partners also become connected by pairing of their centromeres in meiotic prophase. This centromere pairing can promote proper segregation at anaphase I of partners that have failed to become joined by a crossover. Centromere pairing is mediated by synaptonemal complex (SC) proteins that persist at the centromere when the SC disassembles. Here, using mouse spermatocyte and yeast model systems, we tested the role of shugoshin in promoting meiotic centromere pairing by protecting centromeric synaptonemal components from disassembly. The results show that shugoshin protects centromeric SC in meiotic prophase and, in anaphase, promotes the proper segregation of partner chromosomes that are not linked by a crossover.SIGNIFICANCEMeiotic crossovers form a connection between homologous chromosomes that allows them to attach to the spindle as a single unit in meiosis I. In humans, failures in this process are a leading cause of aneuploidy. A recently described process, called centromere pairing, can also help connect meiotic chromosome partners in meiosis. Homologous chromosomes become tightly joined by a structure called the synaptonemal complex (SC) in meiotic prophase. After the SC disassembles, persisting SC proteins at the centromeres mediate their pairing. Here, studies in mouse spermatocytes and yeast are used to show that the shugoshin protein helps SC components persist at centromeres and helps centromere pairing promote the proper segregation of yeast chromosomes that fail to become tethered by crossovers.

Meiosis in Bombyx mori females

1977 ◽  
Vol 277 (955) ◽  
pp. 343-350 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Complex Formation ◽  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Bombyx Mori ◽  
Synaptonemal Complex ◽  
Crossing Over ◽  
Limited Region ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Synaptonemal Complexes ◽  
Envelope Material ◽  
Synaptonemal Complex Formation

Grossing over is absent in oocytes of the silkworm, Bombyx mori . Synaptonemal complexes are present during pachytene between the paired chromosomes. At leptotene, lateral components of the synaptonemal complex are attached in a bouquet to a limited region of the nuclear envelope. Before completion of lateral components, synaptonemal complex formation begins at the nuclear envelope. With synaptonemal complex formation proceeding from both ends bivalents occasionally become interlocked. After pairing is completed, the bouquet arrangement is dissolved possibly as a result of a flow of the inner membrane of the nuclear envelope thereby separating the telomeres. After the telomeres are released from the nuclear envelope, material is deposited onto the lateral components of the synaptonemal complex. The modified synaptonemal complexes are retained by the bivalents until metaphase I. It is suggested that these modified synaptonemal complexes substitute for chiasmata in order to ensure regular disjunction of homologous chromosomes in the absence of crossing over.

Meiosis in a temperature-sensitive DNA-synthesis mutant and in an apomictic yeast strain ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae )

1977 ◽  
Vol 277 (955) ◽  
pp. 351-358 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Dna Synthesis ◽  
Meiotic Prophase ◽  
Yeast Strain ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
Yeast Mutant ◽  
Synaptonemal Complexes ◽  
Meiosis I

It is shown that in the temperature-sensitive yeast mutant ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ) spo 11 at the restrictive temperature of 34 °C, (1) premeiotic DNA synthesis is nearly completely blocked; (2) the nucleus enters meiotic prophase indicated by the formation of axial cores and polysynaptonemal complexes; (3) the kinetic apparatus functions normally at meiosis I and II; (4) early spore formation occurs in nearly all cells but it is variable and all spores eventually degenerate. It is concluded that chromosome replication is not a prerequisite for the functions listed above. The apomictic yeast strain 4117 produces 2 diploid spores. It is shown that a diploid which produces 2-spored asci, synthesized from 4117, no. 5, and an adenine requiring strain (1) has a normal meiotic prophase with abundant synaptonemal complexes; (2) has only one meiotic spindle; (3) has spores which form red clones more frequently than normal or u.v.-treated vegetative cells form ade/ade red sectors through mitotic recombination. It is concluded that this apomictic yeast has main­tained meiotic prophase, but that one of the two meiotic divisions is suppressed.

scholarly journals Shugoshin protects centromere pairing and promotes segregation of nonexchange partner chromosomes in meiosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (19) ◽  
pp. 9417-9422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana Previato de Almeida ◽  
Jared M. Evatt ◽  
Hoa H. Chuong ◽  
Emily L. Kurdzo ◽  
Craig A. Eyster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptonemal Complex ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Meiotic Prophase ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Meiosis I ◽  
Yeast Model

Faithful chromosome segregation during meiosis I depends upon the formation of connections between homologous chromosomes. Crossovers between homologs connect the partners, allowing them to attach to the meiotic spindle as a unit, such that they migrate away from one another at anaphase I. Homologous partners also become connected by pairing of their centromeres in meiotic prophase. This centromere pairing can promote proper segregation at anaphase I of partners that have failed to become joined by a crossover. Centromere pairing is mediated by synaptonemal complex (SC) proteins that persist at the centromere when the SC disassembles. Here, using mouse spermatocyte and yeast model systems, we tested the role of shugoshin in promoting meiotic centromere pairing by protecting centromeric synaptonemal components from disassembly. The results show that shugoshin protects the centromeric SC in meiotic prophase and, in anaphase, promotes the proper segregation of partner chromosomes that are not linked by a crossover.

Effects of Homology, Size and Exchange on the Meiotic Segregation of Model Chromosomes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Genetics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 142 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyle O Ross ◽  
Susannah Rankin ◽  
Michèle F Shuster ◽  
Dean S Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Crossing Over ◽  
Chromosome Size ◽  
Meiotic Segregation ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Reciprocal Recombination ◽  
Eukaryotic Organisms ◽  
Meiosis I

In most eukaryotic organisms, chiasmata, the connections formed between homologous chromosomes as a consequence of crossing over, are important for ensuring that the homologues move away from each other at meiosis I. Some organisms have the capacity to partition the rare homologues that have failed to experience reciprocal recombination. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is able to correctly partition achiasmate homologues with low fidelity by a mechanism that is largely unknown. It is possible to test which parameters affect the ability of achiasmate chromosomes to segregate by constructing strains that will have three achiasmate chromosomes at the time of meiosis. The meiotic partitioning of these chromosomes can be monitored to determine which ones segregate away from each other at meiosis I. This approach was used to test the influence of homologous yeast DNA sequences, recombination intiation sites, chromosome size and crossing over on the meiotic segregation of the model chromosomes. Chrome some size had no effect on achiasmate segregation. The influence of homologous yeast sequences on the segregation of noncrossover model chromosomes was negligible. In meioses in which two of the three model chromosomes experienced a crossover, they nearly always disjoined at meiosis I.

scholarly journals The rec102 mutant of yeast is defective in meiotic recombination and chromosome synapsis.

Genetics ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 130 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-69
Author(s):  
J Bhargava ◽  
J Engebrecht ◽  
G S Roeder
Keyword(s):  
Synaptonemal Complex ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Meiotic Recombination ◽  
Meiotic Chromosome ◽  
Crossing Over ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Chromosome Synapsis ◽  
Recombination Pathway ◽  
Yeast Mutants ◽  
Meiosis I

Abstract A mutation at the REC102 locus was identified in a screen for yeast mutants that produce inviable spores. rec102 spore lethality is rescued by a spo13 mutation, which causes cells to bypass the meiosis I division. The rec102 mutation completely eliminates meiotically induced gene conversion and crossing over but has no effect on mitotic recombination frequencies. Cytological studies indicate that the rec102 mutant makes axial elements (precursors to the synaptonemal complex), but homologous chromosomes fail to synapse. In addition, meiotic chromosome segregation is significantly delayed in rec102 strains. Studies of double and triple mutants indicate that the REC102 protein acts before the RAD52 gene product in the meiotic recombination pathway. The REC102 gene was cloned based on complementation of the mutant defect and the gene was mapped to chromosome XII between CDC25 and STE11.

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