Abstract
During the first meiotic prophase, the cohesin complex is localized to the chromosome axis and contributes to chromosome organization, pairing, synapsis, and recombination. The PDS5 protein, an accessory factor of the cohesin complex, is known to be a component of meiotic chromosome cores in fungi and to be implicated in meiotic chromosome structure and function. We found by immunoblotting experiments that a mammalian PDS5 protein, PDS5B, is abundantly expressed in mouse testis compared to other tissues. Immunofluorescence labeling experiments revealed that PDS5B is highly expressed in spermatogonia and that most PDS5B is depleted from chromatin as cells enter meiosis. During the first meiotic prophase, PDS5B associates with the axial cores of chromosomes. The axial association of PDS5B was observed also in the absence of synaptonemal complex proteins, such as SYCP1 and SYCP3, suggesting that PDS5B is an integral part of the chromosome axis as defined by the cohesin complex. These results suggest that PDS5B modulates cohesin functions in spermatocytes as well as in spermatogonia, contributing to meiotic chromosome structure and function.
Highlights
Meiosis is the process by which diploid cells produce haploid gametes, sperm and eggs, or spores capable of sexual reproduction
We examined spermatocytes derived from an Sycp3-/- mutant to define whether PDS5B is dependent on axial elements (AEs) formation for its localization to the chromosome axis
We reveal that the PDS5B protein is expressed in spermatogonia and spermatocytes and that
Summary
Meiosis is the process by which diploid cells produce haploid gametes, sperm and eggs, or spores capable of sexual reproduction. Besides the role in sister chromatid cohesion, the cohesin complex plays critical roles in meiotic chromosome structure and function. The absence of meiotic cohesin components causes defects in pairing, SC formation, and recombination in many organisms including the mouse, suggesting that the cohesin complex has multiple functions during meiotic prophase [10,11,12,14]. PDS5 is known to be associated with meiotic chromosomes during the first prophase in fungi [20,21,22,23]. We found that the PDS5B protein is associated with the meiotic chromosome axis during the first meiotic prophase, suggesting a role for the mammalian PDS5 in meiotic chromosome structure and function
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.
