[Semisterile meiotic mutant sy11 with heterologous chromosome synapsis in rye Secale cereale L]

A study was made of the expression and inheritance of the sy11 mutation, which alters homologous chromosome synapsis in meiotic prophase I of rye. The abnormal phenotype proved to be determined by a recessive allele of a single sy11 gene. Univalents and multivalents were observed in homozygotes for the mutant allele. Analysis of the synaptonemal complex revealed a combination of homologous and nonhomologous synapsis in the mutant. The nonhomologous synapsis frequency significantly decreased in the course of meiotic prophase I in the mutant. The number of chiasmata per bivalent in metaphase I was 1.1 x 0.01 versus 1.8 x 0.01 in wild-type plants, and the number of univalents was 2.7 x 0.06 versus 0.5 x 0.05 in wild-type plants. As a result, a broad range of abnormalities was observed at subsequent stages of meiosis and led to the formation of defective microspores. Mutant plants were semisterile.