Dynamic configurations of meiotic DNA-break hotspot determinant proteins

Appropriate DNA double-strand break (DSB) and crossover distributions are required for proper meiotic chromosome segregation. Schizosaccharomyces pombe linear element proteins (LinEs) determine DSB hotspots; LinE-bound hotspots form three-dimensional clusters over ∼200 kb chromosomal regions. Here, we investigated LinE configurations and distributions in live cells using super-resolution fluorescence microscopy. We found LinEs form two chromosomal structures, dot-like and linear structures, in both zygotic and azygotic meiosis. Dot-like LinE structures appeared around the time of meiotic DNA replication, underwent dotty-to-linear-to-dotty configurational transitions and disassembled before the first meiotic division. DSB formation and repair did not detectably influence LinE structure formation but failure of DSB formation delayed disassembly. Recombination-deficient LinE missense mutants formed dot-like, but not linear, LinE structures. Our quantitative study reveals a transient form of LinE structures and suggests a novel role for LinE proteins in regulating meiotic events, such as DSB repair. We discuss the relationship of LinEs and the synaptonemal complex in other species. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.