Abstract
Meiosis is a specialized cell division that generates gametes, such as eggs and sperm. Errors in meiosis result in miscarriages and are the leading cause of birth defects; however, the molecular origins of these defects remain unknown. Studies in model organisms are beginning to identify the genes and pathways important for meiosis, but the parts list is still poorly defined. Here we present a comprehensive catalog of genes important for meiosis in the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Our genome-wide functional screen surveyed all nonessential genes for roles in chromosome segregation and spore formation. Novel genes important at distinct stages of the meiotic chromosome segregation and differentiation program were identified. Preliminary characterization implicated three of these genes in centrosome/spindle pole body, centromere, and cohesion function. Our findings represent a near-complete parts list of genes important for meiosis in fission yeast, providing a valuable resource to advance our molecular understanding of meiosis.
Highlights
SEXUALLY reproducing organisms rely on meiosis to generate gametes with half the number of chromosomes of the parental cell
The effect of each gene deletion on meiotic chromosome segregation and sporulation was visually assayed by microscopy
Gene Ontology (GO) term analysis revealed significant enrichment of terms associated with reproduction and spore formation for the no/low sporulation class of mutants (Figure 1B) and with nuclear division, chromosome function, and karyogamy for the chromosome segregation defective mutants (Figure 1D), confirming success at identifying the expected functional categories
Summary
SEXUALLY reproducing organisms rely on meiosis to generate gametes with half the number of chromosomes of the parental cell. Budding yeast S. cerevisiae and fission yeast S. pombe are useful discovery tools as their ability to propagate as haploids and the availability of deletion libraries representing the entire genome mean comprehensive genome-wide screens are eminently feasible Both yeasts exist as haploids with two mating types that can undergo conjugation, followed by nuclear fusion (karyogamy); and the resultant diploids enter meiosis, eventually differentiating into four haploid ascospores, collectively called a tetrad. We identify SPCC1739.04c, which we name dms (for defective meiosis and sporulation 1), as encoding a novel spindle pole body associated protein, critical for spore formation. This screen provides a valuable resource to direct future studies on meiosis and sporulation
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