1
|
Kim H, Choi K. Fast and Precise: How to Measure Meiotic Crossovers in Arabidopsis. Mol Cells 2022; 45:273-283. [PMID: 35444069 PMCID: PMC9095510 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2022.2054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
During meiosis, homologous chromosomes (homologs) pair and undergo genetic recombination via assembly and disassembly of the synaptonemal complex. Meiotic recombination is initiated by excess formation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), among which a subset are repaired by reciprocal genetic exchange, called crossovers (COs). COs generate genetic variations across generations, profoundly affecting genetic diversity and breeding. At least one CO between homologs is essential for the first meiotic chromosome segregation, but generally only one and fewer than three inter-homolog COs occur in plants. CO frequency and distribution are biased along chromosomes, suppressed in centromeres, and controlled by pro-CO, anti-CO, and epigenetic factors. Accurate and high-throughput detection of COs is important for our understanding of CO formation and chromosome behavior. Here, we review advanced approaches that enable precise measurement of the location, frequency, and genomic landscapes of COs in plants, with a focus on Arabidopsis thaliana.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heejin Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Korea
| | - Kyuha Choi
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kurzbauer MT, Janisiw MP, Paulin LF, Prusén Mota I, Tomanov K, Krsicka O, von Haeseler A, Schubert V, Schlögelhofer P. ATM controls meiotic DNA double-strand break formation and recombination and affects synaptonemal complex organization in plants. THE PLANT CELL 2021; 33:1633-1656. [PMID: 33659989 PMCID: PMC8254504 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Meiosis is a specialized cell division that gives rise to genetically distinct gametic cells. Meiosis relies on the tightly controlled formation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and their repair via homologous recombination for correct chromosome segregation. Like all forms of DNA damage, meiotic DSBs are potentially harmful and their formation activates an elaborate response to inhibit excessive DNA break formation and ensure successful repair. Previous studies established the protein kinase ATM as a DSB sensor and meiotic regulator in several organisms. Here we show that Arabidopsis ATM acts at multiple steps during DSB formation and processing, as well as crossover (CO) formation and synaptonemal complex (SC) organization, all vital for the successful completion of meiosis. We developed a single-molecule approach to quantify meiotic breaks and determined that ATM is essential to limit the number of meiotic DSBs. Local and genome-wide recombination screens showed that ATM restricts the number of interference-insensitive COs, while super-resolution STED nanoscopy of meiotic chromosomes revealed that the kinase affects chromatin loop size and SC length and width. Our study extends our understanding of how ATM functions during plant meiosis and establishes it as an integral factor of the meiotic program.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Therese Kurzbauer
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Peter Janisiw
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Luis F Paulin
- Center for Integrative Bioinformatics Vienna (CIBIV), Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ignacio Prusén Mota
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Konstantin Tomanov
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ondrej Krsicka
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Arndt von Haeseler
- Center for Integrative Bioinformatics Vienna (CIBIV), Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Faculty of Computer Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veit Schubert
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) Gatersleben, 06466, Seeland, Germany
| | - Peter Schlögelhofer
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sims J, Schlögelhofer P, Kurzbauer MT. From Microscopy to Nanoscopy: Defining an Arabidopsis thaliana Meiotic Atlas at the Nanometer Scale. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:672914. [PMID: 34084178 PMCID: PMC8167036 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.672914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Visualization of meiotic chromosomes and the proteins involved in meiotic recombination have become essential to study meiosis in many systems including the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Recent advances in super-resolution technologies changed how microscopic images are acquired and analyzed. New technologies enable observation of cells and nuclei at a nanometer scale and hold great promise to the field since they allow observing complex meiotic molecular processes with unprecedented detail. Here, we provide an overview of classical and advanced sample preparation and microscopy techniques with an updated Arabidopsis meiotic atlas based on super-resolution microscopy. We review different techniques, focusing on stimulated emission depletion (STED) nanoscopy, to offer researchers guidance for selecting the optimal protocol and equipment to address their scientific question.
Collapse
|