Controlling Meiotic Double-Strand Break Formation in Mice: A Web of Multivalent Protein-Protein Interactions

A complex network of protein interactions promotes the cooperative assembly of biomolecular condensates that control the formation of meiotic DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). In many species, programmed DSBs made by SPO11 are required for the faithful pairing and segregation of homologous chromosomes during meiosis I. DSBs must be tightly regulated to support their intended function but also to minimize the risk of genomic damage from mutation or defective DSB repair. Multiple chromosome axis-associated proteins are important for the control of meiotic DSB formation and recombination, but the underlying mechanisms of those proteins remain poorly understood. Here, we present a current view of how these proteins work together in mice, based on recent advances in the characterization of their function and structure.