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Lateral elements inside synaptonemal complex-like polycomplexes in ndt80 mutants of yeast bind DNA
Hasanuzzaman Bhuiyan1, Gunilla Dahlfors, Karin Schmekel
1Department of Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
Genetics
|March 6, 2003
Summary
Yeast ndt80 mutants arrest in pachytene, forming large polycomplexes instead of synaptonemal complexes (SCs) within intact nuclei. These polycomplexes bind chromosomes, suggesting a role in chromosome pairing and synapsis during meiosis.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The synaptonemal complex (SC) is crucial for homologous chromosome pairing during meiotic prophase I.
- Polycomplexes, resembling SC stacks, can form but their function remains unclear.
- Yeast ndt80 mutants arrest at the pachytene stage of meiosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of polycomplexes in yeast ndt80 mutants.
- To determine the association of chromosomes with polycomplexes during meiotic arrest.
Main Methods:
- Electron microscopy of intact yeast nuclei.
- Immunoelectron microscopy with DNA antibodies.
- In situ hybridization with chromosome-specific probes.
Main Results:
- Yeast ndt80 mutants predominantly form large polycomplexes in intact nuclei, unlike normal SCs.
- DNA antibodies preferentially label the lateral elements of these polycomplexes.
- Chromosomes are confirmed to be paired and attached to SCs within the polycomplexes.
Conclusions:
- Polycomplexes in ndt80 mutants are associated with paired chromosomes.
- Results suggest polycomplexes may function in chromosome binding and potentially synapsis during meiosis.