Chromosome structure and homologous chromosome association during meiotic prophase in Caenorhabditis elegans

Successful meiotic recombination is driven by a series of programmed chromosome dynamics that include changes in the protein composition of meiotic chromosomes and the juxtaposition of homologous chromosomes. The simultaneous visualization of both chromosome-bound proteins and the status of homologous association is an important experimental approach to analyze the mechanisms supporting proper meiotic chromosome association. One of a number of model organisms used for meiosis research, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans offers an excellent environment to study meiotic chromosome dynamics. Here I will describe how to visualize both chromosome structure and specific chromosomal loci simultaneously, in a whole-mount C. elegans germ line. It combines immunofluorescent (IF) staining for a meiotic chromosome structural component with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).