Mec1/Tel1-independent role of protein phosphatase 4 in Hop1 assembly to promote meiotic chromosome axis formation in budding yeast
Dynamic changes in chromosomal structure that occur during meiotic prophase play an important role in the progression of meiosis. Among them, meiosis-specific chromosomal axis-loop structures are important as a scaffold for integrated control between the meiotic recombination reaction and the associated checkpoint system to ensure accurate chromosome segregation. However, the molecular mechanism of the initial step of chromosome axis-loop construction is not well understood. Here, we showed that, in budding yeast, a Tel1/Mec1-related protein phosphatase 4 (PP4) is required to promote the assembly of a chromosomal axis components Hop1 and Red1 onto meiotic chromatin via interaction with Hop1. PP4 did not affect Rec8 assembly. Notably, unlike the previously known function of PP4, this novel function was independent of Tel1/Mec1 kinase functions. The defect in Hop1/Red1 assembly in the absence of PP4 function was not suppressed by Pch2 dysfunction. Since Pch2 is a conserved AAA+ ATPase and facilitates eviction of Hop1 protein from the chromosome axis, suggesting that PP4 is required for the initial step of chromatin loading of Hop1 rather than stabilizing Hop1 on the chromosome axis. These results indicate phosphorylation/dephosphorylation-mediated regulation of Hop1 recruitment onto chromatin during chromosome axis construction before meiotic double-strand break formation.