Originally published as Genetics Published Articles Ahead of Print on April 30, 2006.

Genetics, Vol. 173, 1207-1222, July 2006, Copyright © 2006
doi:10.1534/genetics.105.050658

Analysis of Close Stable Homolog Juxtaposition During Meiosis in Mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

{dagger} Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology, * Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, {ddagger} Genetics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, California 95616

1 Corresponding author: Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Briggs Hall, University of California, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616.
E-mail: smburgess{at}ucdavis.edu

A unique aspect of meiosis is the segregation of homologous chromosomes at the meiosis I division. The pairing of homologous chromosomes is a critical aspect of meiotic prophase I that aids proper disjunction at anaphase I. We have used a site-specific recombination assay in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to examine allelic interaction levels during meiosis in a series of mutants defective in recombination, chromatin structure, or intracellular movement. Red1, a component of the chromosome axis, and Mnd1, a chromosome-binding protein that facilitates interhomolog interaction, are critical for achieving high levels of allelic interaction. Homologous recombination factors (Sae2, Rdh54, Rad54, Rad55, Rad51, Sgs1) aid in varying degrees in promoting allelic interactions, while the Srs2 helicase appears to play no appreciable role. Ris1 (a SWI2/SNF2 related protein) and Dot1 (a histone methyltransferase) appear to play minor roles. Surprisingly, factors involved in microtubule-mediated intracellular movement (Tub3, Dhc1, and Mlp2) appear to play no appreciable role in homolog juxtaposition, unlike their counterparts in fission yeast. Taken together, these results support the notion that meiotic recombination plays a major role in the high levels of homolog interaction observed during budding yeast meiosis.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
GeneticsHome page
J. C. Mell, K. Komachi, O. Hughes, and S. Burgess
Cooperative Interactions Between Pairs of Homologous Chromatids During Meiosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Genetics, June 1, 2008; 179(2): 1125 - 1127.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
GeneticsHome page
J. C. Mell, B. L. Wienholz, A. Salem, and S. M. Burgess
Sites of Recombination Are Local Determinants of Meiotic Homolog Pairing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Genetics, June 1, 2008; 179(2): 773 - 784.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
M. N. Conrad, C.-Y. Lee, J. L. Wilkerson, and M. E. Dresser
MPS3 mediates meiotic bouquet formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
PNAS, May 22, 2007; 104(21): 8863 - 8868.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]