Direct Visualization Reveals Kinetics of Meiotic Chromosome Synapsis

Cell Reports
Ofer Rog, Abby F Dernburg

Abstract

The synaptonemal complex (SC) is a conserved protein complex that stabilizes interactions along homologous chromosomes (homologs) during meiosis. The SC regulates genetic exchanges between homologs, thereby enabling reductional division and the production of haploid gametes. Here, we directly observe SC assembly (synapsis) by optimizing methods for long-term fluorescence recording in C. elegans. We report that synapsis initiates independently on each chromosome pair at or near pairing centers-specialized regions required for homolog associations. Once initiated, the SC extends rapidly and mostly irreversibly to chromosome ends. Quantitation of SC initiation frequencies and extension rates reveals that initiation is a rate-limiting step in homolog interactions. Eliminating the dynein-driven chromosome movements that accompany synapsis severely retards SC extension, revealing a new role for these conserved motions. This work provides the first opportunity to directly observe and quantify key aspects of meiotic chromosome interactions and will enable future in vivo analysis of germline processes.

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Citations

Oct 21, 2015·The Journal of Cell Biology·Tisha BohrNeedhi Bhalla
Mar 2, 2016·Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology·Denise Zickler, Nancy Kleckner
Mar 26, 2016·Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology·Zhouliang YuAbby F Dernburg
Nov 25, 2016·Genes & Development·Jinmin GaoMonica P Colaiácovo
Jan 25, 2019·Nucleus·Dimitra Paouneskou, Verena Jantsch
Aug 27, 2019·PLoS Genetics·Richard J WangBret A Payseur
Dec 14, 2016·The Journal of Cell Biology·Katherine S LawrenceJoAnne Engebrecht
Jan 13, 2017·The Journal of Cell Biology·Benjamin AllevaSarit Smolikove
Mar 27, 2020·The Journal of Cell Biology·Matthew E HurlockYumi Kim
Jan 30, 2018·Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·Xinhua ZengXiaohong Yan
Aug 6, 2019·Developmental Cell·ChangHwan LeeJudith Kimble
Feb 16, 2020·Current Biology : CB·Chih-Ying LeeRoberto J Pezza
Jun 8, 2021·The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B·Lexy von Diezmann, Ofer Rog
Aug 28, 2021·Cells·Daniel León-Periñán, Alfonso Fernández-Álvarez
Sep 18, 2021·G3 : Genes - Genomes - Genetics·Cori K Cahoon, Diana E Libuda
Sep 18, 2021·Annual Review of Genetics·Sarah N Ur, Kevin D Corbett

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