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Proper microtubule structure is vital for timely progression through meiosis in fission yeast

Akira Yamashita1, Yoshihiro Fujita, Masayuki Yamamoto

  • 1Laboratory of Gene Function, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Kisarazu, Chiba, Japan. ymst@kazusa.or.jp

Plos One
|June 12, 2013
PubMed

Insights

The mal3 gene deletion in fission yeast disrupts microtubule structure, leading to abnormal meiosis and more than four spores. This suggests yeast may not monitor ploidy during this process.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) typically undergoes mitotic division in the haploid state.
  • Nutrient starvation triggers haploid cells to fuse, form a diploid zygote, and initiate meiosis for four haploid spores.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the mal3 gene, encoding an EB1 homolog, in fission yeast meiosis.
  • To understand the impact of microtubule structure on meiotic progression and spore formation.

Main Methods:

  • Gene deletion of mal3 in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
  • Microscopic analysis of cytoplasmic microtubule structure during karyogamy.
  • Observation of meiotic progression and spore number in mutant strains.
  • Treatment with anti-microtubule drugs.

Main Results:

  • Deletion of mal3 results in aberrant asci with more than four spores.
  • mal3 deletion mutants exhibit disordered microtubule structures and premature meiosis before karyogamy completion.
  • Anti-microtubule drug treatment phenocopies the mal3 deletion.
  • Defects in karyogamy or premature haploid meiosis exacerbate the mal3 deletion phenotype.

Conclusions:

  • Proper microtubule organization is essential for orderly progression through the meiotic cycle in fission yeast.
  • Fission yeast may not possess a ploidy monitoring mechanism during meiosis, as indicated by the mal3 deletion phenotype.

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