Abstract

ABSTRACTActive meiotic chromosome movements are a universally conserved feature. They occur at the early stages of prophase of the first meiotic division and support the chromosome pairing process by (1) efficiently installing the synaptonemal complex between homologous chromosomes, (2) discouraging inadvertent chromosome interactions and (3) bringing homologous chromosomes into proximity. Chromosome movements are driven by forces in the cytoplasm, which are passed on to chromosome ends attached to the nuclear periphery by nuclear-membrane-spanning protein modules. In this extra view, we highlight our recent studies into the role of the nuclear lamina during this process to emphasize that it is a highly conserved structure in metazoans. The nuclear lamina forms a rigid proteinaceous network that underlies the inner nuclear membrane to provide stability to the nucleus. Misdemeanors of the nuclear lamina during meiosis has deleterious consequences for the viability and health of the offspring, highlighting the importance of a functional nuclear lamina during this cell cycle stage.Abbreviations: DSB: DNA double strand break; LEM: LAP2, Emerin, MAN1; LINC: LInker of the Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton; RPM: rapid prophase movement; SUN/KASH: Sad1p, UNC-84/Klarsicht, ANC-1, Syne Homology

Highlights

  • Active meiotic chromosome movements are a universally conserved feature

  • Chromosome movements are driven by forces in the cytoplasm, which are passed on to chromosome ends attached to the nuclear periphery by nuclear-membrane-spanning protein modules

  • Haploid gametes are produced as a consequence of meiotic cell divisions, and genetic diversity is generated through the assortment and exchange of parental chromosomes via the programmed induction of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs)

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Summary

Introduction

Active meiotic chromosome movements are a universally conserved feature. They occur at the early stages of prophase of the first meiotic division and support the chromosome pairing process by (1) efficiently installing the synaptonemal complex between homologous chromosomes, (2) discouraging inadvertent chromosome interactions and (3) bringing homologous chromosomes into proximity. The transmission of cytoplasmic forces to chromosome ends is mediated by the highly conserved SUN/KASH (Sad1p, UNC-84/Klarsicht, ANC-1, Syne Homology) bridge, which spans the nuclear envelope and is referred to as the LINC complex (LInker of the Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton; for review, see [4,5]).

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