scholarly journals Molecular organization of mammalian meiotic chromosome axis revealed by expansion STORM microscopy

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (37) ◽  
pp. 18423-18428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huizhong Xu ◽  
Zhisong Tong ◽  
Qing Ye ◽  
Tengqian Sun ◽  
Zhenmin Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meiotic Chromosome ◽  
Molecular Organization ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Meiotic Chromosomes ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy ◽  
Optical Reconstruction ◽  
20 Nm ◽  
Chromosome Axis

During prophase I of meiosis, chromosomes become organized as loop arrays around the proteinaceous chromosome axis. As homologous chromosomes physically pair and recombine, the chromosome axis is integrated into the tripartite synaptonemal complex (SC) as this structure’s lateral elements (LEs). While the components of the mammalian chromosome axis/LE—including meiosis-specific cohesin complexes, the axial element proteins SYCP3 and SYCP2, and the HORMA domain proteins HORMAD1 and HORMAD2—are known, the molecular organization of these components within the axis is poorly understood. Here, using expansion microscopy coupled with 2-color stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) imaging (ExSTORM), we address these issues in mouse spermatocytes at a resolution of 10 to 20 nm. Our data show that SYCP3 and the SYCP2 C terminus, which are known to form filaments in vitro, form a compact core around which cohesin complexes, HORMADs, and the N terminus of SYCP2 are arrayed. Overall, our study provides a detailed structural view of the meiotic chromosome axis, a key organizational and regulatory component of meiotic chromosomes.

scholarly journals A molecular model for the role of SYCP3 in meiotic chromosome organisation

eLife ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Liinamaria Syrjänen ◽  
Luca Pellegrini ◽  
Owen Richard Davies
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Model ◽  
Meiotic Chromosome ◽  
Lateral Element ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Meiotic Chromosomes ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
20 Nm ◽  
Chromosome Organisation

The synaptonemal complex (SC) is an evolutionarily-conserved protein assembly that holds together homologous chromosomes during prophase of the first meiotic division. Whilst essential for meiosis and fertility, the molecular structure of the SC has proved resistant to elucidation. The SC protein SYCP3 has a crucial but poorly understood role in establishing the architecture of the meiotic chromosome. Here we show that human SYCP3 forms a highly-elongated helical tetramer of 20 nm length. N-terminal sequences extending from each end of the rod-like structure bind double-stranded DNA, enabling SYCP3 to link distant sites along the sister chromatid. We further find that SYCP3 self-assembles into regular filamentous structures that resemble the known morphology of the SC lateral element. Together, our data form the basis for a model in which SYCP3 binding and assembly on meiotic chromosomes leads to their organisation into compact structures compatible with recombination and crossover formation.

scholarly journals Localization of RAP1 and topoisomerase II in nuclei and meiotic chromosomes of yeast

1992 ◽  
Vol 117 (5) ◽  
pp. 935-948 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Klein ◽  
T Laroche ◽  
ME Cardenas ◽  
JF Hofmann ◽  
D Schweizer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Meiotic Chromosome ◽  
Nuclear Periphery ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Activator Protein 1 ◽  
Interphase Nuclei ◽  
Telomeric Sequences ◽  
Meiotic Chromosomes ◽  
Punctate Staining

Topoisomerase II (topoII) and RAP1 (Repressor Activator Protein 1) are two abundant nuclear proteins with proposed structural roles in the higher-order organization of chromosomes. Both proteins co-fractionate as components of nuclear scaffolds from vegetatively growing yeast cells, and both proteins are present as components of pachytene chromosome, co-fractionating with an insoluble subfraction of meiotic nuclei. Immunolocalization using antibodies specific for topoII shows staining of an axial core of the yeast meiotic chromosome, extending the length of the synaptonemal complex. RAP1, on the other hand, is located at the ends of the paired bivalent chromosomes, consistent with its ability to bind telomeric sequences in vitro. In interphase nuclei, again in contrast to anti-topoII, anti-RAP1 gives a distinctly punctate staining that is located primarily at the nuclear periphery. Approximately 16 brightly staining foci can be identified in a diploid nucleus stained with anti-RAP1 antibodies, suggesting that telomeres are grouped together, perhaps through interaction with the nuclear envelope.

scholarly journals Characterization of Chimpanzee/Human Monoclonal Antibodies to Vaccinia Virus A33 Glycoprotein and Its Variola Virus Homolog In Vitro and in a Vaccinia Virus Mouse Protection Model

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (17) ◽  
pp. 8989-8995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaochun Chen ◽  
Patricia Earl ◽  
Jeffrey Americo ◽  
Inger Damon ◽  
Scott K. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Vaccinia Virus ◽  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Variola Virus ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
20 Nm

ABSTRACT Three distinct chimpanzee Fabs against the A33 envelope glycoprotein of vaccinia virus were isolated and converted into complete monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) with human γ1 heavy-chain constant regions. The three MAbs (6C, 12C, and 12F) displayed high binding affinities to A33 (Kd of 0.14 nM to 20 nM) and may recognize the same epitope, which was determined to be conformational and located within amino acid residues 99 to 185 at the C terminus of A33. One or more of the MAbs were shown to reduce the spread of vaccinia virus as well as variola virus (the causative agent of smallpox) in vitro and to more effectively protect mice when administered before or 2 days after intranasal challenge with virulent vaccinia virus than a previously isolated mouse anti-A33 MAb (1G10) or vaccinia virus immunoglobulin. The protective efficacy afforded by anti-A33 MAb was comparable to that of a previously isolated chimpanzee/human anti-B5 MAb. The combination of anti-A33 MAb and anti-B5 MAb did not synergize the protective efficacy. These chimpanzee/human anti-A33 MAbs may be useful in the prevention and treatment of vaccinia virus-induced complications of vaccination against smallpox and may also be effective in the immunoprophylaxis and immunotherapy of smallpox and other orthopoxvirus diseases.

scholarly journals Superresolution microscopy reveals the three-dimensional organization of meiotic chromosome axes in intact Caenorhabditis elegans tissue

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (24) ◽  
pp. E4734-E4743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Köhler ◽  
Michal Wojcik ◽  
Ke Xu ◽  
Abby F. Dernburg
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Meiotic Chromosome ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Molecular Organization ◽  
Superresolution Microscopy ◽  
Specific Proteins ◽  
Optical Reconstruction

When cells enter meiosis, their chromosomes reorganize as linear arrays of chromatin loops anchored to a central axis. Meiotic chromosome axes form a platform for the assembly of the synaptonemal complex (SC) and play central roles in other meiotic processes, including homologous pairing, recombination, and chromosome segregation. However, little is known about the 3D organization of components within the axes, which include cohesin complexes and additional meiosis-specific proteins. Here, we investigate the molecular organization of meiotic chromosome axes in Caenorhabditis elegans through STORM (stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy) and PALM (photo-activated localization microscopy) superresolution imaging of intact germ-line tissue. By tagging one axis protein (HIM-3) with a photoconvertible fluorescent protein, we established a spatial reference for other components, which were localized using antibodies against epitope tags inserted by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Using 3D averaging, we determined the position of all known components within synapsed chromosome axes to high spatial precision in three dimensions. We find that meiosis-specific HORMA domain proteins span a gap between cohesin complexes and the central region of the SC, consistent with their essential roles in SC assembly. Our data further suggest that the two different meiotic cohesin complexes are distinctly arranged within the axes: Although cohesin complexes containing the kleisin REC-8 protrude above and below the plane defined by the SC, complexes containing COH-3 or -4 kleisins form a central core, which may physically separate sister chromatids. This organization may help to explain the role of the chromosome axes in promoting interhomolog repair of meiotic double-strand breaks by inhibiting intersister repair.

scholarly journals Rad51 and Dmc1 Form Mixed Complexes Associated with Mouse Meiotic Chromosome Cores and Synaptonemal Complexes

1999 ◽  
Vol 147 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madalena Tarsounas ◽  
Takashi Morita ◽  
Ronald E. Pearlman ◽  
Peter B. Moens
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Meiotic Chromosome ◽  
Amino Acid Level ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Early Prophase ◽  
Protein Protein Interactions ◽  
Prophase I ◽  
Meiotic Chromosomes ◽  
Yeast Meiosis

The eukaryotic RecA homologues RAD51 and DMC1 function in homology recognition and formation of joint-molecule recombination intermediates during yeast meiosis. The precise immunolocalization of these two proteins on the meiotic chromosomes of plants and animals has been complicated by their high degree of identity at the amino acid level. With antibodies that have been immunodepleted of cross-reactive epitopes, we demonstrate that RAD51 and DMC1 have identical distribution patterns in extracts of mouse spermatocytes in successive prophase I stages, suggesting coordinate functionality. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy with these antibodies demonstrate colocalization of the two proteins on the meiotic chromosome cores at early prophase I. We also show that mouse RAD51 and DMC1 establish protein–protein interactions with each other and with the chromosome core component COR1(SCP3) in a two-hybrid system and in vitro binding analyses. These results suggest that the formation of a multiprotein recombination complex associated with the meiotic chromosome cores is essential for the development and fulfillment of the meiotic recombination process.

scholarly journals Transcription dynamically patterns the meiotic chromosome-axis interface

eLife ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoji Sun ◽  
Lingzhi Huang ◽  
Tovah E Markowitz ◽  
Hannah G Blitzblau ◽  
Doris Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Binding ◽  
Budding Yeast ◽  
Meiotic Chromosome ◽  
Cohesin Complex ◽  
Protein Enrichment ◽  
Meiotic Chromosomes ◽  
Convergent Transcription ◽  
Chromosome Axis ◽  
Ubiquitous Presence ◽  
Axial Element

Meiotic chromosomes are highly compacted yet remain transcriptionally active. To understand how chromosome folding accommodates transcription, we investigated the assembly of the axial element, the proteinaceous structure that compacts meiotic chromosomes and promotes recombination and fertility. We found that the axial element proteins of budding yeast are flexibly anchored to chromatin by the ring-like cohesin complex. The ubiquitous presence of cohesin at sites of convergent transcription provides well-dispersed points for axis attachment and thus chromosome compaction. Axis protein enrichment at these sites directly correlates with the propensity for recombination initiation nearby. A separate modulating mechanism that requires the conserved axial-element component Hop1 biases axis protein binding towards small chromosomes. Importantly, axis anchoring by cohesin is adjustable and readily displaced in the direction of transcription by the transcriptional machinery. We propose that such robust but flexible tethering allows the axial element to promote recombination while easily adapting to changes in chromosome activity.

Architecture and Dynamics of Meiotic Chromosomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah N. Ur ◽  
Kevin D. Corbett
Keyword(s):  
Meiotic Prophase ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Meiotic Chromosome ◽  
Dna Recombination ◽  
Chromosome Complement ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Meiotic Chromosomes ◽  
Crystal Model ◽  
Chromosome Axis

The specialized two-stage meiotic cell division program halves a cell's chromosome complement in preparation for sexual reproduction. This reduction in ploidy requires that in meiotic prophase, each pair of homologous chromosomes (homologs) identify one another and form physical links through DNA recombination. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the complex morphological changes that chromosomes undergo during meiotic prophase to promote homolog identification and crossing over. We focus on the structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) family cohesin complexes and the meiotic chromosome axis, which together organize chromosomes and promote recombination. We then discuss the architecture and dynamics of the conserved synaptonemal complex (SC), which assembles between homologs and mediates local and global feedback to ensure high fidelity in meiotic recombination. Finally, we discuss exciting new advances, including mechanisms for boosting recombination on particular chromosomes or chromosomal domains and the implications of a new liquid crystal model for SC assembly and structure. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Genetics, Volume 55 is November 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

scholarly journals Mutant EGFR is a preferred SMURF2 substrate of ubiquitination: role in enhanced receptor stability and TKI sensitivity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paramita Ray ◽  
Krishnan Raghunathan ◽  
Aarif Ahsan ◽  
Uday Sankar Allam ◽  
Shirish Shukla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Receptor Internalization ◽  
Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy ◽  
Steady State Levels ◽  
Epidermal Growth ◽  
Optical Reconstruction ◽  
Super Resolution Microscopy

ABSTRACTWe previously reported that differential protein degradation of TKI-sensitive [L858R, del(E746-A750)] and resistant (T790M) epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutants upon erlotinib treatment correlates with drug sensitivity. However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. We also reported SMAD ubiquitination regulatory factor 2 (SMURF2) ligase activity is important in stabilizing EGFR. Here, using in vitro and in vivo ubiquitination assays, mass spectrometry, and super-resolution microscopy, we show SMURF2-EGFR functional interaction is critical in receptor stability and TKI sensitivity. We found that L858R/T790M EGFR is a preferred substrate of SMURF2-UBCH5 (an E3-E2) complex-mediated K63-linked polyubiquitination, which preferentially stabilizes mutant receptor. We identified four lysine (K) residues (K721, 846, 1037 and 1164) as the sites of ubiquitination and replacement of K to acetylation-mimicking asparagine (Q) at K1037 position in L858R/T790M background converts the stable protein sensitive to erlotinib-induced degradation. Using STochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM) imaging, we show that SMURF2 presence allows longer membrane retention of activated EGFR upon EGF treatment, whereas, siRNA-mediated SMURF2 knockdown fastens receptor endocytosis and lysosome enrichment. In an erlotinib-sensitive PC9 cells, SMURF2 overexpression increased EGFR levels with improved erlotinib tolerance, whereas, SMURF2 knockdown decreased EGFR steady state levels in NCI-H1975 and PC9-AR cells to overcome erlotinib and AZD-9291 resistance respectively. Additionally, by genetically altering the SMURF2-UBCH5 complex formation destabilized EGFR. Together, we propose that SMURF2-mediated preferential polyubiquitination of L858R/T790M EGFR may be competing with acetylation-mediated receptor internalization to provide enhanced receptor stability and that disruption of the E3-E2 complex may be an attractive alternate to overcome TKI resistance.

scholarly journals Targeted volumetric single-molecule localization microscopy of defined presynaptic structures in brain sections

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Pauli ◽  
Mila M. Paul ◽  
Sven Proppert ◽  
Marzieh Sharifi ◽  
Felix Repp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Mossy Fiber ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Molecular Organization ◽  
Localization Microscopy ◽  
Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy ◽  
Optical Reconstruction ◽  
Axial Scanning ◽  
Single Molecule Localization Microscopy

ABSTRACTRevealing the molecular organization of anatomically precisely defined brain regions is necessary for the refined understanding of synaptic plasticity. Although, three-dimensional (3D) single-molecule localization microscopy can provide the required molecular resolution, single-molecule imaging more than a few micrometers deep into tissue remains challenging. To quantify presynaptic active zones (AZ) of entire, large, conditional detonator hippocampal mossy fiber (MF) boutons with diameters as large as 10 µm, we developed a method for aberration-free volumetricdirectstochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM). An optimized protocol for fast repeated axial scanning and efficient sequential labeling of the AZ scaffold Bassoon and membrane bound GFP with Alexa Fluor 647 enables 3D-dSTORM imaging of 25 µm thick mouse brain sections and assignment of AZs to specific neuronal substructures. Quantitative data analysis revealed large differences in Bassoon cluster size and density for distinct hippocampal regions with largest clusters in MF boutons.

scholarly journals Cohesin Smc1β determines meiotic chromatin axis loop organization

2008 ◽  
Vol 180 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Novak ◽  
Hong Wang ◽  
Ekaterina Revenkova ◽  
Rolf Jessberger ◽  
Harry Scherthan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meiotic Chromosome ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Chromatin Loop ◽  
Loop Size ◽  
Chromatin Loops ◽  
Meiotic Chromosomes ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Axis Extension ◽  
Chromosome Axis ◽  
Structural Maintenance Of Chromosomes

Meiotic chromosomes consist of proteinaceous axial structures from which chromatin loops emerge. Although we know that loop density along the meiotic chromosome axis is conserved in organisms with different genome sizes, the basis for the regular spacing of chromatin loops and their organization is largely unknown. We use two mouse model systems in which the postreplicative meiotic chromosome axes in the mutant oocytes are either longer or shorter than in wild-type oocytes. We observe a strict correlation between chromosome axis extension and a general and reciprocal shortening of chromatin loop size. However, in oocytes with a shorter chromosome axis, only a subset of the chromatin loops is extended. We find that the changes in chromatin loop size observed in oocytes with shorter or longer chromosome axes depend on the structural maintenance of chromosomes 1β (Smc1β), a mammalian chromosome–associated meiosis-specific cohesin. Our results suggest that in addition to its role in sister chromatid cohesion, Smc1β determines meiotic chromatin loop organization.

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