Meiotic arrest and synaptonemal complexes in yeast ts spo 10 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

Abstract

The yeast strain spo 10 is characterized by meiotic prophase arrest at 34 °C but not at 26 °C. At either temperature normal meiotic S phase is followed by prophase where each nucleus contains a set of duplicated spindle pole bodies, synaptonemal complexes (SCs), and frequently a nuclear-dense body (ndb). In arrested cells the SCs become prominent but fragmented and 50% or more of the ndbs contain polysynaptonemal complexes. It is assumed that spo 10 arrest occurs prior to shutdown of SC production but does not affect SC production itself, thus causing an accumulation of SC material in the ndb.