Identification of DNA regions required for mitotic and meiotic functions within the centromere of Schizosaccharomyces pombe chromosome I

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 2206-2215
Author(s):  
K M Hahnenberger ◽  
J Carbon ◽  
L Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Schizosaccharomyces Pombe ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Inverted Repeat ◽  
Distal Portion ◽  
Central Core ◽  
Inverted Repeat Region ◽  
Artificial Chromosomes ◽  
Centromere Function ◽  
Chromosome I ◽  
Meiosis I

We have determined the structural organization and functional roles of centromere-specific DNA sequence repeats in cen1, the centromere region from chromosome I of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. cen1 is composed of various classes of repeated sequences designated K', K"(dgl), L, and B', arranged in a 34-kb inverted repeat surrounding a 4- to 5-kb nonhomologous central core. Artificial chromosomes containing various portions of the cen1 region were constructed and assayed for mitotic and meiotic centromere function in S. pombe. Deleting K' and L from the distal portion of one arm of the inverted repeat had no effect on mitotic centromere function but resulted in greatly increased precocious sister chromatid separation in the first meiotic division. A centromere completely lacking K' and L, but containing the central core, one copy of B' and K" in one arm, and approximately 2.5 kb of the core-proximal portion of B' in the other arm, was also fully functional mitotically but again did not maintain sister chromatid attachment in meiosis I. However, deletion of K" from this minichromosome resulted in complete loss of centromere function. Thus, one copy of at least a portion of the K" (dgl) repeat is absolutely required but is not sufficient for S. pombe centromere function. The long centromeric inverted-repeat region must be relatively intact to maintain sister chromatid attachment in meiosis I.

scholarly journals Identification of DNA regions required for mitotic and meiotic functions within the centromere of Schizosaccharomyces pombe chromosome I.

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 2206-2215 ◽  
Author(s):  
K M Hahnenberger ◽  
J Carbon ◽  
L Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Schizosaccharomyces Pombe ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Inverted Repeat ◽  
Distal Portion ◽  
Central Core ◽  
Inverted Repeat Region ◽  
Artificial Chromosomes ◽  
Centromere Function ◽  
Chromosome I ◽  
Meiosis I

We have determined the structural organization and functional roles of centromere-specific DNA sequence repeats in cen1, the centromere region from chromosome I of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. cen1 is composed of various classes of repeated sequences designated K', K"(dgl), L, and B', arranged in a 34-kb inverted repeat surrounding a 4- to 5-kb nonhomologous central core. Artificial chromosomes containing various portions of the cen1 region were constructed and assayed for mitotic and meiotic centromere function in S. pombe. Deleting K' and L from the distal portion of one arm of the inverted repeat had no effect on mitotic centromere function but resulted in greatly increased precocious sister chromatid separation in the first meiotic division. A centromere completely lacking K' and L, but containing the central core, one copy of B' and K" in one arm, and approximately 2.5 kb of the core-proximal portion of B' in the other arm, was also fully functional mitotically but again did not maintain sister chromatid attachment in meiosis I. However, deletion of K" from this minichromosome resulted in complete loss of centromere function. Thus, one copy of at least a portion of the K" (dgl) repeat is absolutely required but is not sufficient for S. pombe centromere function. The long centromeric inverted-repeat region must be relatively intact to maintain sister chromatid attachment in meiosis I.

scholarly journals Functional analysis of a centromere from fission yeast: a role for centromere-specific repeated DNA sequences.

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1863-1872 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Clarke ◽  
M P Baum
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Inverted Repeat ◽  
Repeated Sequence ◽  
Repeated Sequences ◽  
Central Core ◽  
Repeated Dna ◽  
Inverted Repeat Region ◽  
Repeated Dna Sequences ◽  
Centromere Function ◽  
Chromosome Ii

A circular minichromosome carrying functional centromere sequences (cen2) from Schizosaccharomyces pombe chromosome II behaves as a stable, independent genetic linkage group in S. pombe. The cen2 region was found to be organized into four large tandemly repeated sequence units which span over 80 kilobase pairs (kb) of untranscribed DNA. Two of these units occurred in a 31-kb inverted repeat that flanked a 7-kb central core of nonhomology. The inverted repeat region had centromere function, but neither the central core alone nor one arm of the inverted repeat was functional. Deletion of a portion of the repeated sequences that flank the central core had no effect on mitotic segregation functions or on meiotic segregation of a minichromosome to two of the four haploid progeny, but drastically impaired centromere-mediated maintenance of sister chromatid attachment in meiosis I. This requirement for centromere-specific repeated sequences could not be satisfied by introduction of random DNA sequences. These observations suggest a function for the heterochromatic repeated DNA sequences found in the centromere regions of higher eucaryotes.

Functional analysis of a centromere from fission yeast: a role for centromere-specific repeated DNA sequences

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1863-1872
Author(s):  
L Clarke ◽  
M P Baum
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Inverted Repeat ◽  
Repeated Sequence ◽  
Repeated Sequences ◽  
Central Core ◽  
Repeated Dna ◽  
Inverted Repeat Region ◽  
Repeated Dna Sequences ◽  
Centromere Function ◽  
Chromosome Ii

A circular minichromosome carrying functional centromere sequences (cen2) from Schizosaccharomyces pombe chromosome II behaves as a stable, independent genetic linkage group in S. pombe. The cen2 region was found to be organized into four large tandemly repeated sequence units which span over 80 kilobase pairs (kb) of untranscribed DNA. Two of these units occurred in a 31-kb inverted repeat that flanked a 7-kb central core of nonhomology. The inverted repeat region had centromere function, but neither the central core alone nor one arm of the inverted repeat was functional. Deletion of a portion of the repeated sequences that flank the central core had no effect on mitotic segregation functions or on meiotic segregation of a minichromosome to two of the four haploid progeny, but drastically impaired centromere-mediated maintenance of sister chromatid attachment in meiosis I. This requirement for centromere-specific repeated sequences could not be satisfied by introduction of random DNA sequences. These observations suggest a function for the heterochromatic repeated DNA sequences found in the centromere regions of higher eucaryotes.

scholarly journals Cis-acting determinants affecting centromere function, sister-chromatid cohesion and reciprocal recombination during meiosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Genetics ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 139 (3) ◽  
pp. 1159-1173 ◽  
Author(s):  
D D Sears ◽  
J H Hegemann ◽  
J H Shero ◽  
P Hieter
Keyword(s):  
Gene Conversion ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Meiotic Chromosome ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Sister Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Artificial Chromosomes ◽  
Centromere Function ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Meiosis I

Abstract We have employed a system that utilizes homologous pairs of human DNA-derived yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) as marker chromosomes to assess the specific role(s) of conserved centromere DNA elements (CDEI, CDEII and CDEIII) in meiotic chromosome disjunction fidelity. Thirteen different centromere (CEN) mutations were tested for their effects on meiotic centromere function. YACs containing a wild-type CEN DNA sequence segregate with high fidelity in meiosis I (99% normal segregation) and in meiosis II (96% normal segregation). YACs containing a 31-bp deletion mutation in centromere DNA element II (CDEII delta 31) in either a heterocentric (mutant/wild type), homocentric (mutant/mutant) or monosomic (mutant/--) YAC pair configuration exhibited high levels (16-28%) of precocious sister-chromatid segregation (PSS) and increased levels (1-6%) of nondisjunction meiosis I (NDI). YACs containing this mutation also exhibit high levels (21%) of meiosis II nondisjunction. Interestingly, significant alterations in homolog recombination frequency were observed in the exceptional PSS class of tetrads, suggesting unusual interactions between prematurely separated sister chromatids and their homologous nonsister chromatids. We also have assessed the meiotic segregation effects of rare gene conversion events occurring at sites located immediately adjacent to or distantly from the centromere region. Proximal gene conversion events were associated with extremely high levels (60%) of meiosis I segregation errors (including both PSS and NDI), whereas distal events had no apparent effect. Taken together, our results indicate a critical role for CDEII in meiosis and underscore the importance of maintaining sister-chromatid cohesion for proper recombination in meiotic prophase and for proper disjunction in meiosis I.

scholarly journals Nonrandom Homolog Segregation at Meiosis I in Schizosaccharomyces pombe Mutants Lacking Recombination

Genetics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 163 (3) ◽  
pp. 857-874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luther Davis ◽  
Gerald R Smith
Keyword(s):  
Schizosaccharomyces Pombe ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Meiotic Recombination ◽  
Meiotic Division ◽  
General Feature ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Homozygous Diploid ◽  
Reductional Division ◽  
Meiosis I

Abstract Physical connection between homologous chromosomes is normally required for their proper segregation to opposite poles at the first meiotic division (MI). This connection is generally provided by the combination of reciprocal recombination and sister-chromatid cohesion. In the absence of meiotic recombination, homologs are predicted to segregate randomly at MI. Here we demonstrate that in rec12 mutants of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which are devoid of meiosis-induced recombination, homologs segregate to opposite poles at MI 63% of the time. Residual, Rec12-independent recombination appears insufficient to account for the observed nonrandom homolog segregation. Dyad asci are frequently produced by rec12 mutants. More than half of these dyad asci contain two viable homozygous-diploid spores, the products of a single reductional division. This set of phenotypes is shared by other S. pombe mutants that lack meiotic recombination, suggesting that nonrandom MI segregation and dyad formation are a general feature of meiosis in the absence of recombination and are not peculiar to rec12 mutants. Rec8, a meiosis-specific sister-chromatid cohesin, is required for the segregation phenotypes displayed by rec12 mutants. We propose that S. pombe possesses a system independent of recombination that promotes homolog segregation and discuss possible mechanisms.

scholarly journals The centromeric K-type repeat and the central core are together sufficient to establish a functional Schizosaccharomyces pombe centromere.

1994 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. 747-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Baum ◽  
V K Ngan ◽  
L Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Schizosaccharomyces Pombe ◽  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Central Core ◽  
Critical Elements ◽  
Centromere Function ◽  
Centromeric Repeat ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Kinetochore Function

The DNA requirements for centromere function in fission yeast have been investigated using a minichromosome assay system. Critical elements of Schizosaccharomyces pombe centromeric DNA are portions of the centromeric central core and sequences within a 2.1-kilobase segment found on all three chromosomes as part of the K-type (K/K"/dg) centromeric repeat. The S. pombe centromeric central core contains DNA sequences that appear functionally redundant, and the inverted repeat motif that flanks the central core in all native fission yeast centromeres is not essential for centromere function in circular minichromosomes. Tandem copies of centromeric repeat K", in conjunction with the central core, exert an additive effect on centromere function, increasing minichromosome mitotic stability with each additional copy. Centromeric repeats B and L, however, and parts of the central core and its core-associated repeat are dispensable and cannot substitute for K-type sequences. Several specific protein binding sites have been identified within the centromeric K-type repeat, consistent with a recently proposed model for centromere/kinetochore function in S. pombe.

scholarly journals The centromere enhancer mediates centromere activation in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 3305-3314 ◽  
Author(s):  
V K Ngan ◽  
L Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Schizosaccharomyces Pombe ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Central Core ◽  
Specific Sequence ◽  
Circular Dna ◽  
Centromere Function

The centromere enhancer is a functionally important DNA region within the Schizosaccharomyces pombe centromeric K-type repeat. We have previously shown that addition of the enhancer and cen2 centromeric central core to a circular minichromosome is sufficient to impart appreciable centromere function. A more detailed analysis of the enhancer shows that it is dispensable for centromere function in a cen1-derived minichromosome containing the central core and the remainder of the K-type repeat, indicating that the critical centromeric K-type repeat, like the central core, is characterized by functional redundancy. The centromeric enhancer is required, however, for a central core-carrying minichromosome to exhibit immediate centromere activity when the circular DNA is introduced via transformation into S. pombe. This immediate activation is probably a consequence of a centromere-targeted epigenetic system that governs the chromatin architecture of the region. Moreover, our studies show that two entirely different DNA sequences, consisting of elements derived from two native centromeres, can display centromere function. An S. pombe CENP-B-like protein, Abp1p/Cbp1p, which is required for proper chromosome segregation in vivo, binds in vitro to sites within and adjacent to the modular centromere enhancer, as well as within the centromeric central cores. These results provide direct evidence in fission yeast of a model, similar to one proposed for mammalian systems, whereby no specific sequence is necessary for centromere function but certain classes of sequences are competent to build the appropriate chromatin foundation upon which the centromere/kinetochore can be formed and activated.

scholarly journals Meiotic Chromosome Dynamics Dependent Upon the rec8+, rec10+ and rec11+ Genes of the Fission Yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Genetics ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 153 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle D Krawchuk ◽  
Linda C DeVeaux ◽  
Wayne P Wahls
Keyword(s):  
Schizosaccharomyces Pombe ◽  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Meiotic Chromosome ◽  
Sister Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Synergistic Interactions ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Central Regions ◽  
Meiosis I

Abstract During meiosis homologous chromosomes replicate once, pair, experience recombination, and undergo two rounds of segregation to produce haploid meiotic products. The rec8+, rec10+, and rec11+ genes of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe exhibit similar specificities for meiotic recombination and rec8+ is required for sister chromatid cohesion and homolog pairing. We applied cytological and genetic approaches to identify potential genetic interactions and to gauge the fidelity of meiotic chromosome segregation in the mutants. The rec8+ gene was epistatic to rec10+ and to rec11+, but there was no clear epistatic relationship between rec10+ and rec11+. Reciprocal (crossover) recombination in the central regions of all three chromosomes was compromised in the rec mutants, but recombination near the telomeres was nearly normal. Each of the mutants also exhibited a high rate of aberrant segregation for all three chromosomes. The rec8 mutations affected mainly meiosis I segregation. Remarkably, the rec10 and rec11 mutations, which compromised recombination during meiosis I, affected mainly meiosis II segregation. We propose that these genes encode regulators or components of a “meiotic chromatid cohesion” pathway involved in establishing, maintaining, and appropriately releasing meiotic interactions between chromosomes. A model of synergistic interactions between sister chromatid cohesion and crossover position suggests how crossovers and cohesion help ensure the proper segregation of chromosomes in each of the meiotic divisions.

scholarly journals An implanted recombination hot spot stimulates recombination and enhances sister chromatid cohesion of heterologous YACs during yeast meiosis.

Genetics ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 138 (4) ◽  
pp. 1055-1065
Author(s):  
D D Sears ◽  
P Hieter ◽  
G Simchen
Keyword(s):  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Hot Spots ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Detectable Effect ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Artificial Chromosomes ◽  
Chromatid Segregation ◽  
Yeast Meiosis ◽  
Recombination Hot Spots ◽  
Meiosis I

Abstract Heterologous yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) do not recombine with each other and missegregate in 25% of meiosis I events. Recombination hot spots in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have previously been shown to be associated with sites of meiosis-induced double-strand breaks (DSBs). A 6-kb fragment containing a recombination hot spot/DSB site was implanted onto two heterologous human DNA YACs and was shown to cause the YACs to undergo meiotic recombination in 5-8% of tetrads. Reciprocal exchanges initiated and resolved within the 6-kb insert. Presence of the insert had no detectable effect on meiosis I nondisjunction. Surprisingly, the recombination hot spots acted in cis to significantly reduce precocious sister-chromatid segregation. This novel observation suggests that DSBs are instrumental in maintaining cohesion between sister chromatids in meiosis I. We propose that this previously unknown function of DSBs is mediated by the stimulation of sister-chromatid exchange and/or its intermediates.

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