scholarly journals Spatial constraints on chromosomes are instrumental to meiotic pairing

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (22) ◽  
pp. jcs253724
Author(s):  
Miao Tian ◽  
Christiane Agreiter ◽  
Josef Loidl
Keyword(s):  
Meiotic Prophase ◽  
Tetrahymena Thermophila ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Meiotic Pairing ◽  
Homologous Pairing ◽  
Spatial Constraints ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Chromosome Arrangement ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Prophase Nucleus

ABSTRACTIn most eukaryotes, the meiotic chromosomal bouquet (comprising clustered chromosome ends) provides an ordered chromosome arrangement that facilitates pairing and recombination between homologous chromosomes. In the protist Tetrahymena thermophila, the meiotic prophase nucleus stretches enormously, and chromosomes assume a bouquet-like arrangement in which telomeres and centromeres are attached to opposite poles of the nucleus. We have identified and characterized three meiosis-specific genes [meiotic nuclear elongation 1-3 (MELG1-3)] that control nuclear elongation, and centromere and telomere clustering. The Melg proteins interact with cytoskeletal and telomere-associated proteins, and probably repurpose them for reorganizing the meiotic prophase nucleus. A lack of sequence similarity between the Tetrahymena proteins responsible for telomere clustering and bouquet proteins of other organisms suggests that the Tetrahymena bouquet is analogous, rather than homologous, to the conserved eukaryotic bouquet. We also report that centromere clustering is more important than telomere clustering for homologous pairing. Therefore, we speculate that centromere clustering may have been the primordial mechanism for chromosome pairing in early eukaryotes.

scholarly journals PAIRING COMPETITION BETWEEN IDENTICAL AND HOMOLOGOUS CHROMOSOMES IN RYE AND GRASSHOPPERS

Genetics ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 677-684
Author(s):  
J L Santos ◽  
J Orellana ◽  
R Giraldez
Keyword(s):  
Secale Cereale ◽  
Banding Pattern ◽  
Chromosome Pair ◽  
Meiotic Pairing ◽  
Homologous Pairing ◽  
Eyprepocnemis Plorans ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Random Pairing ◽  
Structural Differences ◽  
Telomeric Heterochromatin

ABSTRACT Meiotic pairing preferences between identical and homologous but not identical chromosomes were analyzed in spontaneous tetraploid/diploid chimeras of three male grasshoppers (Eyprepocnemis plorans) whose chromosome pair 11 were heterozygous for C-banding pattern and in four induced tetraploid/diploid chimaeral rye plants (Secale cereale) heterozygous for telomeric heterochromatin C-bands in chromosomes 1R and 2R. In the grasshoppers, a preference for identical over homologous pairing was observed, whereas in rye both a preference for homologous rather than identical pairing and random pairing between the four chromosomes of the set was found. From the results in rye, it can be deduced that pairing preferences do not depend exclusively on the similarities between chromosomes involved. It is suggested that genotypic or cryptic structural differences between the homologous chromosomes of each pair analyzed might be responsible for the pairing preferences found. This hypothesis can also explain the results obtained in grasshoppers, although the possibility of premeiotic association cannot be excluded in this material.

scholarly journals Speedy A–Cdk2 binding mediates initial telomere–nuclear envelope attachment during meiotic prophase I independent of Cdk2 activation

2016 ◽  
Vol 114 (3) ◽  
pp. 592-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaowei Tu ◽  
Mustafa Bilal Bayazit ◽  
Hongbin Liu ◽  
Jingjing Zhang ◽  
Kiran Busayavalasa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Meiotic Prophase ◽  
Homologous Pairing ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Cyclin Dependent Kinases ◽  
Prophase I ◽  
Meiotic Prophase I ◽  
Localization Domain

Telomere attachment to the nuclear envelope (NE) is a prerequisite for chromosome movement during meiotic prophase I that is required for pairing of homologous chromosomes, synapsis, and homologous recombination. Here we show that Speedy A, a noncanonical activator of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), is specifically localized to telomeres in prophase I male and female germ cells in mice, and plays an essential role in the telomere–NE attachment. Deletion of Spdya in mice disrupts telomere–NE attachment, and this impairs homologous pairing and synapsis and leads to zygotene arrest in male and female germ cells. In addition, we have identified a telomere localization domain on Speedy A covering the distal N terminus and the Cdk2-binding Ringo domain, and this domain is essential for the localization of Speedy A to telomeres. Furthermore, we found that the binding of Cdk2 to Speedy A is indispensable for Cdk2’s localization on telomeres, suggesting that Speedy A and Cdk2 might be the initial components that are recruited to the NE for forming the meiotic telomere complex. However, Speedy A-Cdk2–mediated telomere–NE attachment is independent of Cdk2 activation. Our results thus indicate that Speedy A and Cdk2 might mediate the initial telomere–NE attachment for the efficient assembly of the telomere complex that is essential for meiotic prophase I progression.

THE EFFECT OF GENES CONTROLLING DIFFERENT DEGREES OF HOMOEOLOGOUS PAIRING ON QUADRIVALENT FREQUENCY IN INDUCED AUTOTETRAPLOID LINES OF TRITICUM LONGISSIMUM

1976 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Avivi
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Pairing ◽  
Chiasma Frequency ◽  
Spatial Separation ◽  
Meiotic Pairing ◽  
Homoeologous Pairing ◽  
Homologous Pairing ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Chromosomal Pairing ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Quadrivalent Frequency

Different genotypes of Triticum longissimum are known to either promote or suppress chromosome pairing in crosses with polyploid wheats. Lines that promote homoeologous pairing are here designated as intermediate pairing lines, while those which have no such effect or suppress pairing are known as low pairing lines. To determine a possible effect of these genotypes on homologous pairing, tetraploidy was induced in both lines and chromosomal pairing was studied at first metaphase of meiosis. While the two induced autotetraploids did not differ in chiasma frequency or in the number of paired chromosomal arms, they differed significantly in multivalent frequency; the intermediate-pairing autotetraploid exhibited the same multivalent frequency as that expected on the basis of two telomeric initiation sites, while the low pairing autotetraploid exhibited a significantly lower frequency. It is assumed that in the autotetraploid the low pairing genotype does not affect meiotic pairing per se, but modifies the pattern of homologous association in a similar manner to that known in polyploids and caused by diploidization genes. It is speculated that the tendency for bivalent pairing in the low pairing autotetraploid is due to spatial separation of the four homologous chromosomes in somatic and premeiotic cells into two groups of two.

Effect of the Pairing Gene Ph1 on Centromere Misdivision in Common Wheat

Genetics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 148 (3) ◽  
pp. 1285-1294
Author(s):  
Juan M Vega ◽  
Moshe Feldman
Keyword(s):  
Common Wheat ◽  
Hexaploid Wheat ◽  
Meiotic Pairing ◽  
Meiotic Behavior ◽  
Interphase Chromosome ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Chromosome Arrangement ◽  
Homoeologous Gene ◽  
Spindle Microtubules ◽  
Homoeologous Chromosomes

Abstract The cytologically diploid-like meiotic behavior of hexaploid wheat (i.e., exclusive bivalent pairing of homologues) is largely controlled by the pairing homoeologous gene Ph1. This gene suppresses pairing between homoeologous (partially homologous) chromosomes of the three closely related genomes that compose the hexaploid wheat complement. It has been previously proposed that Ph1 regulates meiotic pairing by determining the pattern of premeiotic arrangement of homologous and homoeologous chromosomes. We therefore assume that Ph1 action may be targeted at the interaction of centromeres with spindle microtubules—an interaction that is critical for movement of chromosomes to their specific interphase positions. Using monosomic lines of common wheat, we studied the effect of this gene on types and rates of centromere division of univalents at meiosis. In the presence of the normal two doses of Ph1, the frequency of transverse breakage (misdivision) of the centromere of univalent chromosomes was high in both first and second meiotic divisions; whereas with zero dose of the gene, this frequency was drastically reduced. The results suggest that Ph1 is a trans-acting gene affecting centromere-microtubules interaction. The findings are discussed in the context of the effect of Ph1 on interphase chromosome arrangement.

scholarly journals Lateral Elements Inside Synaptonemal Complex-Like Polycomplexes in ndt80 Mutants of Yeast Bind DNA

Genetics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 163 (2) ◽  
pp. 539-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasanuzzaman Bhuiyan ◽  
Gunilla Dahlfors ◽  
Karin Schmekel
Keyword(s):  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Synaptonemal Complex ◽  
Immunoelectron Microscopy ◽  
Meiotic Prophase ◽  
Lateral Element ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Meiotic Prophase I ◽  
Dna Antibodies

Abstract The synaptonemal complex (SC) keeps the synapsed homologous chromosomes together during pachytene in meiotic prophase I. Structures that resemble stacks of SCs, polycomplexes, are sometimes found before or after pachytene. We have investigated ndt80 mutants of yeast, which arrest in pachytene. SCs appear normal in spread chromosome preparations, but are only occasionally found in intact nuclei examined in the electron microscope. Instead, large polycomplexes occur in almost every ndt80 mutant nucleus. Immunoelectron microscopy using DNA antibodies show strong preferential labeling to the lateral element parts of the polycomplexes. In situ hybridization using chromosome-specific probes confirms that the chromosomes in ndt80 mutants are paired and attached to the SCs. Our results suggest that polycomplexes can be involved in binding of chromosomes and possibly also in synapsis.

Effect of the Pairing Gene Ph1 and Premeiotic Colchicine Treatment on Intra- and Interchromosome Pairing of Isochromosomes in Common Wheat

Genetics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 150 (3) ◽  
pp. 1199-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan M Vega ◽  
Moshe Feldman
Keyword(s):  
Common Wheat ◽  
Homologous Chromosome ◽  
Colchicine Treatment ◽  
Crossing Over ◽  
Meiotic Pairing ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Polyploid Wheat ◽  
Main Gene ◽  
Ph1 Gene

Abstract The analysis of the pattern of isochromosome pairing allows one to distinguish factors affecting presynaptic alignment of homologous chromosomes from those affecting synapsis and crossing-over. Because the two homologous arms in an isochromosome are invariably associated by a common centromere, the suppression of pairing between these arms (intrachromosome pairing) would indicate that synaptic or postsynaptic events were impaired. In contrast, the suppression of pairing between an isochromosome and its homologous chromosome (interchromosome pairing), without affecting intrachromosome pairing, would suggest that homologous presynaptic alignment was impaired. We used such an isochromosome system to determine which of the processes associated with chromosome pairing was affected by the Ph1 gene of common wheat—the main gene that restricts pairing to homologues. Ph1 reduced the frequency of interchromosome pairing without affecting intrachromosome pairing. In contrast, intrachromosome pairing was strongly reduced in the absence of the synaptic gene Syn-B1. Premeiotic colchicine treatment, which drastically decreased pairing of conventional chromosomes, reduced interchromosome but not intrachromosome pairing. The results support the hypothesis that premeiotic alignment is a necessary stage for the regularity of meiotic pairing and that Ph1 relaxes this alignment. We suggest that Ph1 acts on premeiotic alignment of homologues and homeologues as a means of ensuring diploid-like meiotic behavior in polyploid wheat.

Inferences from genetical evidence on the course of meiotic chromosome pairing in plants

1977 ◽  
Vol 277 (955) ◽  
pp. 313-326 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Pairing ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Meiotic Chromosome ◽  
Critical Assessment ◽  
Gene Control ◽  
Meiotic Pairing ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Meiotic Chromosome Pairing ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Or Gene

Meiotic chromosome pairing is a process that is amenable to genetic and experimental analysis. The combined use of these two approaches allows for the process to be dissected into several finite periods of time in which the developmental stages of pairing can be precisely located. Evidence is now available, in particular in plants, that shows that the pairing of homologous chromosomes, as observed at metaphase I, is affected by events occurring as early as the last premeiotic mitosis; and that the maintenance of this early determined state is subsequently maintained by constituents (presumably proteins) that are sensitive to either colchicine, temperature or gene control. A critical assessment of this evidence in wheat and a comparison of the process of pairing in wheat with the course of meiotic pairing in other plants and animals is presented.

Evidence for homologous pairing of chromosomes prior to meiotic prophase in maize

Chromosoma ◽  
1967 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjorie P. Maguire
Keyword(s):  
Meiotic Prophase ◽  
Homologous Pairing

Meiosis in Coprinus Lagopus: A Comparative Study with Light and Electron Microscopy

1967 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-536
Author(s):  
B. C. LU
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fusion ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Fruiting Bodies ◽  
Homologous Pairing ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Characteristic Structure ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
Central Spindle ◽  
Spindle Microtubules

Meiosis within fruiting bodies of Coprinus lagopus Fr. is closely synchronized. This conveniently facilitates joint light- and electron-microscope observations. Before nuclear fusion the chromatin appears diffuse in the light microscope; after nuclear fusion individual chromosomes can be recognized. In the electron micrographs the chromatin of pre-fusion and early fusion nuclei cannot be recognized as defined structures with the fixation and staining procedures employed. At the time of synapsis the lateral components of the synaptinemal complexes can be seen in the micrographs. The pairing process of the two chromosomes of the homologous pairs is believed to involve two steps: (1) two homologous chromosomes become aligned in parallel, and (2) pairing occurs by formation of the synaptinemal complex including the central synaptic component. The term synaptic centre is coined for the central component, which is believed to be the zone where crossing-over occurs. The formation of this structure in relation to homologous pairing, and the structural organization of the synaptinemal complexes are discussed. At meiotic metaphase, the chromosomes congregate around the central spindle microtubules. They are contracted and contain densely packed chromatin fibrils. Two types of spindle microtubules are demonstrated: (1) the chromosomal microtubules directly connecting the chromosomes to the centrosomes, and (2) the central spindle microtubules connecting the two centrosomes. The centrosomes are round, fibril-containing bodies approximately 0.3 µ in diameter. They have been observed outside the nuclear envelope at pachytene, but do not show the characteristic structure normally found in animal cells.

Development of the Quadripolar Meiotic Cytoskeleton in Spore Mother Cells of the Moss Funaria Hygrometrica

1988 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-137
Author(s):  
C. H. BUSBY ◽  
B.E. S. GUNNING
Keyword(s):  
Meiotic Prophase ◽  
Metaphase Plate ◽  
Plant Cells ◽  
Preprophase Band ◽  
The Other ◽  
Higher Plant ◽  
Funaria Hygrometrica ◽  
Condensed Form ◽  
Prophase Nucleus ◽  
Mother Cells

Evidence presented in the accompanying paper that plastids function as microtubule (MT)-organizing centres for development of the quadripolar cytoskeleton of pre-meiotic spore mother cells (SMCs) in the moss Funaria hygrometrica is complemented here by observations on the MT system in these cells. Early in meiotic prophase numerous MTs align progressively along the two plastids as they elongate. Concomitant with (and perhaps causal for) plastid rotation, new MT arrays grow from each tip of each plastid to both tips of the other plastid. The ‘along-plastid’ and ‘between-plastid’ arrays ultimately form the edges of a tetrahedron, enclosing the prophase nucleus. MT breakdown at the centre of each edge leaves four cones of MTs, one emanating from each vertex, located at the plastid tips. These partially fuse in between-plastid pairs to give a twisted spindle with broad knife-edge poles oriented at right angles to one another, i.e. a condensed form of the quadripolar precursor. The twist causes the metaphase plate and the subsequent phragmoplast and organelle band to be saddle-shaped, and the daughter nuclei to be elongated perpendicular to one another along the two knife edges. The tetrahedral array returns during interkinesis and again breaks down into four cones of MTs centred on the plastid tips; these, however, now become individual half spindles for the two perpendicularly arranged second division spindles. When meiosis is completed the four haploid nuclei thus come to lie at the vertices of a tetrahedron that was established by MT-mediated plastid positioning during meiotic prophase. The tetrahedral cage of MTs precedes meiosis yet predicts the planes of division, and in these two respects it is the meiotic counterpart of the preprophase band of MTs, which develops before mitosis in most higher plant cells.

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