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Studying Proteolysis of Cyclin B at the Single Cell Level in Whole Cell Populations
10:54

Studying Proteolysis of Cyclin B at the Single Cell Level in Whole Cell Populations

Published on: September 17, 2012

Meiotic prophase requires proteolysis of M phase regulators mediated by the meiosis-specific APC/CAma1

Elwy Okaz1, Orlando Argüello-Miranda, Aliona Bogdanova

  • 1Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany.

Cell
|October 30, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Meiosis requires suppressing mitotic cell cycle controls. The anaphase-promoting complex (APC/C) with its activator Ama1 prevents premature exit from prophase I, ensuring proper recombination and chromosome segregation.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Proliferating cells enter M phase after DNA replication.
  • Meiosis I prophase is extended for homologous recombination.
  • The recombination checkpoint (RC) controls exit from prophase I.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms controlling the extended prophase I in meiosis.
  • To determine the role of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC/C) and its activator Ama1 in meiotic progression.

Main Methods:

  • Yeast genetics (ama1Δ mutants).
  • Analysis of recombination and chromosome segregation.
  • Investigation of cell-cycle control mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • The anaphase-promoting complex (APC/C) and its activator Ama1 suppress latent mitotic cell-cycle controls during prophase I.
  • ama1Δ mutants exhibit premature exit from prophase I, independent of the RC.
  • This premature exit leads to recombination defects and chromosome missegregation.

Conclusions:

  • Suppression of mitotic mechanisms by a meiosis-specific APC/C is essential for controlling prophase I.
  • Meiotic progression relies on the coordinated action of meiotic regulators and the suppression of mitotic pathways.

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