scholarly journals Rec8p, a Meiotic Recombination and Sister Chromatid Cohesion Phosphoprotein of the Rad21p Family Conserved from Fission Yeast to Humans

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 3515-3528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandro Parisi ◽  
Michael J. McKay ◽  
Monika Molnar ◽  
M. Anne Thompson ◽  
Peter J. van der Spek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Sister Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Prophase Nucleus ◽  
Chromosome Iii ◽  
Meiosis I

ABSTRACT Our work and that of others defined mitosis-specific (Rad21 subfamily) and meiosis-specific (Rec8 subfamily) proteins involved in sister chromatid cohesion in several eukaryotes, including humans. Mutation of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe rec8 gene was previously shown to confer a number of meiotic phenotypes, including strong reduction of recombination frequencies in the central region of chromosome III, absence of linear element polymerization, reduced pairing of homologous chromosomes, reduced sister chromatid cohesion, aberrant chromosome segregation, defects in spore formation, and reduced spore viability. Here we extend the description of recombination reduction to the central regions of chromosomes I and II. We show at the protein level that expression ofrec8 is meiosis specific and that Rec8p localizes to approximately 100 foci per prophase nucleus. Rec8p was present in an unphosphorylated form early in meiotic prophase but was phosphorylated prior to meiosis I, as demonstrated by analysis of the mei4mutant blocked before meiosis I. Evidence for the persistence of Rec8p beyond meiosis I was obtained by analysis of the mutantmes1 blocked before meiosis II. A human gene, which we designate hrec8, showed significant primary sequence similarity to rec8 and was mapped to chromosome 14. High mRNA expression of mouse and human rec8 genes was found only in germ line cells, specifically in testes and, interestingly, in spermatids. hrec8 was also expressed at a low level in the thymus. Sequence similarity and testis-specific expression indicate evolutionarily conserved functions of Rec8p in meiosis. Possible roles of Rec8p in the integration of different meiotic events are discussed.

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 Multiple Subunits of the Caenorhabditis elegans Anaphase-Promoting Complex Are Required for Chromosome Segregation During Meiosis I

Genetics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 160 (2) ◽  
pp. 805-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward S Davis ◽  
Lucia Wille ◽  
Barry A Chestnut ◽  
Penny L Sadler ◽  
Diane C Shakes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Interference ◽  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Sister Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Anaphase Promoting Complex ◽  
Genetic Screens ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Interference Studies ◽  
Meiosis I

Abstract Two genes, originally identified in genetic screens for Caenorhabditis elegans mutants that arrest in metaphase of meiosis I, prove to encode subunits of the anaphase-promoting complex or cyclosome (APC/C). RNA interference studies reveal that these and other APC/C subunits are essential for the segregation of chromosomal homologs during meiosis I. Further, chromosome segregation during meiosis I requires APC/C functions in addition to the release of sister chromatid cohesion.

scholarly journals Double or nothing: a Drosophila mutation affecting meiotic chromosome segregation in both females and males.

Genetics ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 136 (3) ◽  
pp. 953-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
D P Moore ◽  
W Y Miyazaki ◽  
J E Tomkiel ◽  
T L Orr-Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Meiotic Chromosome ◽  
Sister Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Aberrant Chromosome ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Meiotic Nondisjunction ◽  
Lethal Allele ◽  
Meiosis I

Abstract We describe a Drosophila mutation, Double or nothing (Dub), that causes meiotic nondisjunction in a conditional, dominant manner. Previously isolated mutations in Drosophila specifically affect meiosis either in females or males, with the exception of the mei-S332 and ord genes which are required for proper sister-chromatid cohesion. Dub is unusual in that it causes aberrant chromosome segregation almost exclusively in meiosis I in both sexes. In Dub mutant females both nonexchange and exchange chromosomes undergo nondisjunction, but the effect of Dub on nonexchange chromosomes is more pronounced. Dub reduces recombination levels slightly. Multiple nondisjoined chromosomes frequently cosegregate to the same pole. Dub results in nondisjunction of all chromosomes in meiosis I of males, although the levels are lower than in females. When homozygous, Dub is a conditional lethal allele and exhibits phenotypes consistent with cell death.

scholarly journals Mutational Analysis of the Drosophila Sister-Chromatid Cohesion Protein ORD and Its Role in the Maintenance of Centromeric Cohesion

Genetics ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 146 (4) ◽  
pp. 1319-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon E Bickel ◽  
Dudley W Wyman ◽  
Terry L Orr-Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Sister Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Chromosome Loss ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Random Segregation ◽  
Kinetochore Function ◽  
Segregation Of Chromosomes

The ord gene is required for proper segregation of all chromosomes in both male and female Drosophila meiosis. Here we describe the isolation of a null ord allele and examine the consequences of ablating ord function. Cytologically, meiotic sister-chromatid cohesion is severely disrupted in flies lacking ORD protein. Moreover, the frequency of missegregation in genetic tests is consistent with random segregation of chromosomes through both meiotic divisions, suggesting that sister cohesion may be completely abolished. However, only a slight decrease in viability is observed for ord null flies, indicating that ORD function is not essential for cohesion during somatic mitosis. In addition, we do not observe perturbation of germ-line mitotic divisions in flies lacking ORD activity. Our analysis of weaker ord alleles suggests that ORD is required for proper centromeric cohesion after arm cohesion is released at the metaphase I/anaphase I transition. Finally, although meiotic cohesion is abolished in the ord null fly, chromosome loss is not appreciable. Therefore, ORD activity appears to promote centromeric cohesion during meiosis II but is not essential for kinetochore function during anaphase.

scholarly journals SOLO: a meiotic protein required for centromere cohesion, coorientation, and SMC1 localization in Drosophila melanogaster

2010 ◽  
Vol 188 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rihui Yan ◽  
Sharon E. Thomas ◽  
Jui-He Tsai ◽  
Yukihiro Yamada ◽  
Bruce D. McKee
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Sister Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Early Prophase ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Mutant Phenotypes ◽  
Meiosis I ◽  
Novel Protein

Sister chromatid cohesion is essential to maintain stable connections between homologues and sister chromatids during meiosis and to establish correct centromere orientation patterns on the meiosis I and II spindles. However, the meiotic cohesion apparatus in Drosophila melanogaster remains largely uncharacterized. We describe a novel protein, sisters on the loose (SOLO), which is essential for meiotic cohesion in Drosophila. In solo mutants, sister centromeres separate before prometaphase I, disrupting meiosis I centromere orientation and causing nondisjunction of both homologous and sister chromatids. Centromeric foci of the cohesin protein SMC1 are absent in solo mutants at all meiotic stages. SOLO and SMC1 colocalize to meiotic centromeres from early prophase I until anaphase II in wild-type males, but both proteins disappear prematurely at anaphase I in mutants for mei-S332, which encodes the Drosophila homologue of the cohesin protector protein shugoshin. The solo mutant phenotypes and the localization patterns of SOLO and SMC1 indicate that they function together to maintain sister chromatid cohesion in Drosophila meiosis.

Fission yeast Pds5 is required for accurate chromosome segregation and for survival after DNA damage or metaphase arrest

2002 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 587-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shao-Win Wang ◽  
Rebecca L. Read ◽  
Chris J. Norbury
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Budding Yeast ◽  
Eukaryotic Cell ◽  
Sister Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Chromosome Loss ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion

Sister chromatid cohesion, which is established during the S phase of the eukaryotic cell cycle and persists until the onset of anaphase, is essential for the maintenance of genomic integrity. Cohesion requires the multi-protein complex cohesin, as well as a number of accessory proteins including Pds5/BIMD/Spo76. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pds5 is an essential protein that localises to chromosomes in a cohesin-dependent manner. Here we describe the characterisation in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe of pds5+, a novel,non-essential orthologue of S. cerevisiae PDS5. The S. pombePds5 protein was localised to punctate nuclear foci in a manner that was dependent on the Rad21 cohesin component. This, together with additional genetic evidence, points towards an involvement of S. pombe Pds5 in sister chromatid cohesion. S. pombe pds5 mutants were hypersensitive to DNA damage and to mitotic metaphase delay, but this sensitivity was apparently not due to precocious loss of sister chromatid cohesion. These cells also suffered increased spontaneous chromosome loss and meiotic defects and their viability was dependent on the spindle checkpoint protein Bub1. Thus, while S. pombe Pds5 has an important cohesin-related role, this differs significantly from that of the equivalent budding yeast protein.

scholarly journals Cohesins Determine the Attachment Manner of Kinetochores to Spindle Microtubules at Meiosis I in Fission Yeast

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 3965-3973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shihori Yokobayashi ◽  
Masayuki Yamamoto ◽  
Yoshinori Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Specific Requirement ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Spindle Microtubules ◽  
Yeast Meiosis ◽  
Meiosis I ◽  
Random Division

ABSTRACT During mitosis, sister kinetochores attach to microtubules that extend to opposite spindle poles (bipolar attachment) and pull the chromatids apart at anaphase (equational segregation). A multisubunit complex called cohesin, including Rad21/Scc1, plays a crucial role in sister chromatid cohesion and equational segregation at mitosis. Meiosis I differs from mitosis in having a reductional pattern of chromosome segregation, in which sister kinetochores are attached to the same spindle (monopolar attachment). During meiosis, Rad21/Scc1 is largely replaced by its meiotic counterpart, Rec8. If Rec8 is inactivated in fission yeast, meiosis I is shifted from reductional to equational division. However, the reason rec8Δ cells undergo equational rather than random division has not been clarified; therefore, it has been unclear whether equational segregation is due to a loss of cohesin in general or to a loss of a specific requirement for Rec8. We report here that the equational segregation at meiosis I depends on substitutive Rad21, which relocates to the centromeres if Rec8 is absent. Moreover, we demonstrate that even if sufficient amounts of Rad21 are transferred to the centromeres at meiosis I, thereby establishing cohesion at the centromeres, rec8Δ cells never recover monopolar attachment but instead secure bipolar attachment. Thus, Rec8 and Rad21 define monopolar and bipolar attachment, respectively, at meiosis I. We conclude that cohesin is a crucial determinant of the attachment manner of kinetochores to the spindle microtubules at meiosis I in fission yeast.

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