Abstract
During meiosis, maternal and paternal chromosomes undergo exchanges by homologous recombination. This is essential for fertility and contributes to genome evolution. In many eukaryotes, sites of meiotic recombination, also called hotspots, are regions of accessible chromatin, but in many vertebrates, their location follows a distinct pattern and is specified by PR domain-containing protein 9 (PRDM9). The specification of meiotic recombination hotspots is achieved by the different activities of PRDM9: DNA binding, histone methyltransferase, and interaction with other proteins. Remarkably, PRDM9 activity leads to the erosion of its own binding sites and the rapid evolution of its DNA-binding domain. PRDM9 may also contribute to reproductive isolation, as it is involved in hybrid sterility potentially due to a reduction of its activity in specific heterozygous contexts.
Highlights
Sexual reproduction requires the conversion of diploid cells into haploid cells through a specialized cell cycle that is called meiosis
PRDM9 orthologs have been detected in vertebrates and in several nonvertebrates, suggesting that the PRDM9 family is ancestral to bilaterians [10, 70]
Many species, including some vertebrates, have lost PRDM9 and have a distinct control of the localization of meiotic double strand breaks (DSBs), which appears to rely on features that promote access to DNA of the meiotic DSB machinery, including chromatin modifications and accessibility
Summary
[322788]), by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR-15-CE12-0010-01/DaSiRe), and by the Fondation Bettencourt-Schueller. Maternal and paternal chromosomes undergo exchanges by homologous recombination. This is essential for fertility and contributes to genome evolution. The specification of meiotic recombination hotspots is achieved by the different activities of PRDM9: DNA binding, histone methyltransferase, and interaction with other proteins. PRDM9 activity leads to the erosion of its own binding sites and the rapid evolution of its DNA-binding domain.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
