Chromosome movements in meiotic prophase: regulatory mechanisms and biological roles

Meiotic prophase is characterized by dynamic chromosome movements that are essential for accurate genome transmission and the generation of genetic diversity. During this stage, chromosome ends, typically telomeres or other specialized chromosomal domains, attach to the nuclear envelope, where the conserved LINC complexes transmit cytoskeletal forces to drive coordinated chromosome motion. These movements are regulated by kinase-controlled chromosome end-nuclear envelope attachment, meiosis-specific LINC components, cytoskeletal motor networks, membrane fluidity, nuclear lamina dynamics, and other factors. Accumulating evidence indicates that chromosome movements play crucial roles in homolog pairing and synapsis, contribute to the resolution of chromosome entanglements, influence recombination and crossover patterning, and may also have post-synapsis functions. Here, we review the molecular machinery that drives meiotic chromosome movements, the mechanisms that regulate their dynamics, and their diverse biological functions during meiotic prophase.