Homolog pairing and sister chromatid cohesion in heterochromatin in Drosophila male meiosis I

Homologous chromosomes are stably conjoined for Drosophila male meiosis I by SUM, a multimerized protein assembly with modules for DNA-binding and for separase-mediated dissociation co-opted from cohesin

For meiosis I, homologous chromosomes must be paired into bivalents. Maintenance of homolog conjunction in bivalents until anaphase I depends on crossovers in canonical meiosis. However, instead of crossovers, an alternative system achieves homolog conjunction during the achiasmate male meiosis of Drosophila melanogaster. The proteins SNM, UNO and MNM are likely constituents of a physical linkage that conjoins homologs in D. melanogaster spermatocytes. Here, we report that SNM binds tightly to the C-terminal region of UNO. This interaction is homologous to that of the cohesin subunits stromalin/Scc3/STAG and α-kleisin, as revealed by sequence similarities, structure modeling and cross-link mass spectrometry. Importantly, purified SU_C, the heterodimeric complex of SNM and the C-terminal region of UNO, displayed DNA-binding in vitro. DNA-binding was severely impaired by mutational elimination of positively charged residues from the C-terminal helix of UNO. Phenotypic analyses in flies fully confirmed the physiological relevance of this basic helix for chromosome-binding and homolog conjunction during male meiosis. Beyond DNA, SU_C also bound MNM, one of many isoforms expressed from the complex mod(mdg4) locus. This binding of MNM to SU_C was mediated by the MNM-specific C-terminal region, while the purified N-terminal part common to all Mod(mdg4) isoforms multimerized into hexamers in vitro. Similarly, the UNO N-terminal domain formed tetramers in vitro. Thus, we suggest that multimerization confers to SUM, the assemblies composed of SNM, UNO and MNM, the capacity to conjoin homologous chromosomes stably by the resultant multivalent DNA-binding. Moreover, to permit homolog separation during anaphase I, SUM is dissociated by separase, since UNO, the α-kleisin-related protein, includes a separase cleavage site. In support of this proposal, we demonstrate that UNO cleavage by tobacco etch virus protease is sufficient to release homolog conjunction in vivo after mutational exchange of the separase cleavage site with that of the bio-orthogonal protease.

Teflon promotes chromosomal recruitment of homolog conjunction proteins during Drosophila male meiosis

Meiosis in males of higher dipterans is achiasmate. In their spermatocytes, pairing of homologs into bivalent chromosomes does not include synaptonemal complex and crossover formation. While crossovers preserve homolog conjunction until anaphase I during canonical meiosis, an alternative system is used in dipteran males. Mutant screening in Drosophila melanogaster has identified teflon (tef) as being required specifically for alternative homolog conjunction (AHC) of autosomal bivalents. The additional known AHC genes, snm, uno and mnm, are needed for the conjunction of autosomal homologs and of sex chromosomes. Here, we have analyzed the pattern of TEF protein expression. TEF is present in early spermatocytes but cannot be detected on bivalents at the onset of the first meiotic division, in contrast to SNM, UNO and MNM (SUM). TEF binds to polytene chromosomes in larval salivary glands, recruits MNM by direct interaction and thereby, indirectly, also SNM and UNO. However, chromosomal SUM association is not entirely dependent on TEF, and residual autosome conjunction occurs in tef null mutant spermatocytes. The higher tef requirement for autosomal conjunction is likely linked to the quantitative difference in the amount of SUM protein that provides conjunction of autosomes and sex chromosomes, respectively. During normal meiosis, SUM proteins are far more abundant on sex chromosomes compared to autosomes. Beyond promoting SUM recruitment, TEF has a stabilizing effect on SUM proteins. Increased SUM causes excess conjunction and consequential chromosome missegregation during meiosis I after co-overexpression. Similarly, expression of SUM without TEF, and even more potently with TEF, interferes with chromosome segregation during anaphase of mitotic divisions in somatic cells, suggesting that the known AHC proteins are sufficient for establishment of ectopic chromosome conjunction. Overall, our findings suggest that TEF promotes alternative homolog conjunction during male meiosis without being part of the final physical linkage between chromosomes.

Sexual reproduction depends on meiosis, a special cell division that generates haploid cells. Haploid cells have only one set of chromosomes in contrast to the diploid precursor cell, which has two sets. Haploid cells can differentiate into gametes. Fusion of two gametes during fertilization recreates the diploid state. Meiosis is distinct in males and females to produce two distinct types of compatible gametes, sperm and egg. In the fly Drosophila melanogaster, sex-specific differences are particularly pronounced. While pairing of homologous chromosomes into bivalents early in meiosis proceeds in a canonical manner in females, males use an alternative system. This system maintains homolog pairing, replacing crossovers that result from homologous recombination during canonical meiosis. Four genes (snm, uno, mnm and tef) are known to be required specifically for alternative homolog conjunction in males. Here, we demonstrate that the TEF protein binds directly to MNM. Thereby, TEF promotes the recruitment of MNM and consequentially SNM and UNO to chromosomes. However, while SNM, UNO and MNM remain on bivalent chromosomes until they are separated apart during the first meiotic division, TEF disappears prematurely, suggesting that it is not part of the final physical linkage between homologous chromosomes.

Dispersive forces and resisting spot welds by alternative homolog conjunction govern chromosome shape in Drosophila spermatocytes during prophase I

The bivalent chromosomes that are generated during prophase of meiosis I comprise a pair of homologous chromosomes. Homolog pairing during prophase I must include mechanisms that avoid or eliminate entanglements between non-homologous chromosomes. In Drosophila spermatocytes, non-homologous associations are disrupted by chromosome territory formation, while linkages between homologous chromosomes are maintained by special conjunction proteins. These proteins function as alternative for crossovers that link homologs during canonical meiosis but are absent during the achiasmate Drosophila male meiosis. How and where within bivalents the alternative homolog conjunction proteins function is still poorly understood. To clarify the rules that govern territory formation and alternative homolog conjunction, we have analyzed spermatocytes with chromosomal aberrations. We examined territory formation after acute chromosome cleavage by Cas9, targeted to the dodeca satellite adjacent to the centromere of chromosome 3 specifically in spermatocytes. Moreover, we studied territory organization, as well as the eventual orientation of chromosomes during meiosis I, in spermatocytes with stable structural aberrations, including heterozygous reciprocal autosomal translocations. Our observations indicate that alternative homolog conjunction is applied in a spatially confined manner. Comparable to crossovers, only a single conjunction spot per chromosome arm appears to be applied usually. These conjunction spots resist separation by the dispersing forces that drive apart homologous pericentromeric heterochromatin and embedded centromeres within territories, as well as the distinct chromosomal entities into peripheral, maximally separated territories within the spermatocyte nucleus.

Already the primordial eukaryote appears to have used meiosis for sexual reproduction, because this sophisticated process follows a canonical program in lineages ranging from unicellular organisms to plants and animals. The maternal and paternal copies of a particular chromosome, i.e., the homologs, are first physically linked into a bivalent before the first meiotic division. Linkage is essential for error-free chromosome segregation. In canonical meiosis, linkage is achieved by crossovers. These are regulated so that each chromosome pair is linked, but only by very few crossovers. Surprisingly, crossovers are absent during meiosis in males of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Instead, an alternative homolog conjunction system is used. It is not yet clear how this functions. Here, we demonstrate that the alternative chromosome glue appears to be applied in a locally restricted manner rather than all along the paired homologs. Just two spots of glue appear to conjoin the two homologous chromosomes usually, with one spot linking the left and another the right chromosome arm. Thus, number and location of linkages appear to be similar as crossovers, raising the possibility of mechanistic similarities in the establishment of the two distinct types of homolog linkage.

Bivalent individualization during chromosome territory formation in Drosophila spermatocytes by controlled condensin II protein activity and additional force generators

Reduction of genome ploidy from diploid to haploid necessitates stable pairing of homologous chromosomes into bivalents before the start of the first meiotic division. Importantly, this chromosome pairing must avoid interlocking of non-homologous chromosomes. In spermatocytes of Drosophila melanogaster, where homolog pairing does not involve synaptonemal complex formation and crossovers, associations between non-homologous chromosomes are broken up by chromosome territory formation in early spermatocytes. Extensive non-homologous associations arise from the coalescence of the large blocks of pericentromeric heterochromatin into a chromocenter and from centromere clustering. Nevertheless, during territory formation, bivalents are moved apart into spatially separate subnuclear regions. The condensin II subunits, Cap-D3 and Cap-H2, have been implicated, but the remarkable separation of bivalents during interphase might require more than just condensin II. For further characterization of this process, we have applied time-lapse imaging using fluorescent markers of centromeres, telomeres and DNA satellites in pericentromeric heterochromatin. We describe the dynamics of the disruption of centromere clusters and the chromocenter in normal spermatocytes. Mutations in Cap-D3 and Cap-H2 abolish chromocenter disruption, resulting in excessive chromosome missegregation during M I. Chromocenter persistence in the mutants is not mediated by the special system, which conjoins homologs in compensation for the absence of crossovers in Drosophila spermatocytes. However, overexpression of Cap-H2 precluded conjunction between autosomal homologs, resulting in random segregation of univalents. Interestingly, Cap-D3 and Cap-H2 mutant spermatocytes displayed conspicuous stretching of the chromocenter, as well as occasional chromocenter disruption, suggesting that territory formation might involve forces unrelated to condensin II. While the molecular basis of these forces remains to be clarified, they are not destroyed by inhibitors of F actin and microtubules. Our results indicate that condensin II activity promotes chromosome territory formation in co-operation with additional force generators and that careful co-ordination with alternative homolog conjunction is crucial.

Dynamic sex chromosome expression in Drosophila male germ cells

Given their copy number differences and unique modes of inheritance, the evolved gene content and expression of sex chromosomes is unusual. In many organisms the X and Y chromosomes are inactivated in spermatocytes, possibly as a defense mechanism against insertions into unpaired chromatin. In addition to current sex chromosomes, Drosophila has a small gene-poor X-chromosome relic (4th) that re-acquired autosomal status. Here we use single cell RNA-Seq on fly larvae to demonstrate that the single X and pair of 4th chromosomes are specifically inactivated in primary spermatocytes, based on measuring all genes or a set of broadly expressed genes in testis we identified. In contrast, genes on the single Y chromosome become maximally active in primary spermatocytes. Reduced X transcript levels are due to failed activation of RNA-Polymerase-II by phosphorylation of Serine 2 and 5.

Chromosome separation during Drosophila male meiosis I requires separase-mediated cleavage of the homolog conjunction protein UNO

Regular chromosome segregation during the first meiotic division requires prior pairing of homologous chromosomes into bivalents. During canonical meiosis, linkage between homologous chromosomes is maintained until late metaphase I by chiasmata resulting from meiotic recombination in combination with distal sister chromatid cohesion. Separase-mediated elimination of cohesin from chromosome arms at the end of metaphase I permits terminalization of chiasmata and homolog segregation to opposite spindle poles during anaphase I. Interestingly, separase is also required for bivalent splitting during meiosis I in Drosophila males, where homologs are conjoined by an alternative mechanism independent of meiotic recombination and cohesin. Here we report the identification of a novel alternative homolog conjunction protein encoded by the previously uncharacterized gene univalents only (uno). The univalents that are present in uno null mutants at the start of meiosis I, instead of normal bivalents, are segregated randomly. In wild type, UNO protein is detected in dots associated with bivalent chromosomes and most abundantly at the localized pairing site of the sex chromosomes. UNO is cleaved by separase. Expression of a mutant UNO version with a non-functional separase cleavage site restores homolog conjunction in a uno null background. However, separation of bivalents during meiosis I is completely abrogated by this non-cleavable UNO version. Therefore, we propose that homolog separation during Drosophila male meiosis I is triggered by separase-mediated cleavage of UNO.

Sex Chromosome Pairing Mediated by Euchromatic Homology in Drosophila Male Meiosis

Diploid germline cells must undergo two consecutive meiotic divisions before differentiating as haploid sex cells. During meiosis I, homologs pair and remain conjoined until segregation at anaphase. Drosophila melanogaster spermatocytes are unique in that the canonical events of meiosis I including synaptonemal complex formation, double-strand DNA breaks, and chiasmata are absent. Sex chromosomes pair at intergenic spacer sequences within the ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Autosomes pair at numerous euchromatic homologies, but not at heterochromatin, suggesting that pairing may be limited to specific sequences. However, previous work generated from genetic segregation assays or observations of late prophase I/prometaphase I chromosome associations fail to differentiate pairing from maintenance of pairing (conjunction). Here, we separately examined the capability of X euchromatin to pair and conjoin using an rDNA-deficient X and a series of Dp(1;Y) chromosomes. Genetic assays showed that duplicated X euchromatin can substitute for endogenous rDNA pairing sites. Segregation was not proportional to homology length, and pairing could be mapped to nonoverlapping sequences within a single Dp(1;Y) Using fluorescence in situ hybridization to early prophase I spermatocytes, we showed that pairing occurred with high fidelity at all homologies tested. Pairing was unaffected by the presence of X rDNA, nor could it be explained by rDNA magnification. By comparing genetic and cytological data, we determined that centromere proximal pairings were best at segregation. Segregation was dependent on the conjunction protein Stromalin in Meiosis, while the autosomal-specific Teflon was dispensable. Overall, our results suggest that pairing may occur at all homologies, but there may be sequence or positional requirements for conjunction.

MNM and SNM maintain but do not establish achiasmate homolog conjunction during Drosophila male meiosis

The first meiotic division reduces genome ploidy. This requires pairing of homologous chromosomes into bivalents that can be bi-oriented within the spindle during prometaphase I. Thereafter, pairing is abolished during late metaphase I, and univalents are segregated apart onto opposite spindle poles during anaphase I. In contrast to canonical meiosis, homologous chromosome pairing does not include the formation of a synaptonemal complex and of cross-overs in spermatocytes of Drosophila melanogaster. The alternative pairing mode in these cells depends on mnm and snm. These genes are required exclusively in spermatocytes specifically for successful conjunction of chromosomes into bivalents. Available evidence suggests that MNM and SNM might be part of a physical linkage that directly conjoins chromosomes. Here this notion was analyzed further. Temporal variation in delivery of mnm and snm function was realized by combining various transgenes with null mutant backgrounds. The observed phenotypic consequences provide strong evidence that MNM and SNM contribute directly to chromosome linkage. Premature elimination of these proteins results in precocious bivalent splitting. Delayed provision results in partial conjunction defects that are more pronounced in autosomal bivalents compared to the sex chromosome bivalent. Overall, our findings suggest that MNM and SNM cannot re-establish pairing of chromosomes into bivalents if provided after a chromosome-specific time point of no return. When delivered before this time point, they fortify preformed linkages in order to preclude premature bivalent splitting by the disruptive forces that drive chromosome territory formation during spermatocyte maturation and chromosome condensation during entry into meiosis I.

Identification of recombination hotspots and quantitative trait loci for recombination rate in layer chickens

Background

The frequency of recombination events varies across the genome and between individuals, which may be related to some genomic features. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of recombination events and to identify QTL (quantitative trait loci) for recombination rate in two purebred layer chicken lines.

Methods

A total of 1200 white-egg layers (WL) were genotyped with 580 K SNPs and 5108 brown-egg layers (BL) were genotyped with 42 K SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms). Recombination events were identified within half-sib families and both the number of recombination events and the recombination rate was calculated within each 0.5 Mb window of the genome. The 10% of windows with the highest recombination rate on each chromosome were considered to be recombination hotspots. A BayesB model was used separately for each line to identify genomic regions associated with the genome-wide number of recombination event per meiosis. Regions that explained more than 0.8% of genetic variance of recombination rate were considered to harbor QTL.

Results

Heritability of recombination rate was estimated at 0.17 in WL and 0.16 in BL. On average, 11.3 and 23.2 recombination events were detected per individual across the genome in 1301 and 9292 meioses in the WL and BL, respectively. The estimated recombination rates differed significantly between the lines, which could be due to differences in inbreeding levels, and haplotype structures. Dams had about 5% to 20% higher recombination rates per meiosis than sires in both lines. Recombination rate per 0.5 Mb window had a strong negative correlation with chromosome size and a strong positive correlation with GC content and with CpG island density across the genome in both lines. Different QTL for recombination rate were identified in the two lines. There were 190 and 199 non-overlapping recombination hotspots detected in WL and BL respectively, 28 of which were common to both lines.

Conclusions

Differences in the recombination rates, hotspot locations, and QTL regions associated with genome-wide recombination were observed between lines, indicating the breed-specific feature of detected recombination events and the control of recombination events is a complex polygenic trait.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s40104-019-0332-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Imaging and Quantitation of Assembly Dynamics of the Centromeric Histone H3 Variant CENP-A in Drosophila melanogaster Spermatocytes by Immunofluorescence and Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization (Immuno-FISH)

This chapter describes a method used to assay the cell cycle dynamics of the centromeric histone H3 variant CENP-A in meiosis using Drosophila males as the experimental system. Specifically, we describe a method that combines Immunofluorescence (IF) and Fluorescence in-situ Hybridization (FISH) protocols, performed on fixed Drosophila testes. An advantage of this protocol is the ability to localize individual centromeres on the four Drosophila homologous chromosomes that form distinct nuclear territories in spermatocytes. We also describe a method to quantify CENP-A focal intensities using Image J software.

ATP synthase F1 subunits recruited to centromeres by CENP-A are required for male meiosis

The histone H3 variant CENP-A epigenetically defines the centromere and is critical for chromosome segregation. Here we report an interaction between CENP-A and subunits of the mitochondrial ATP synthase complex in the germline of male Drosophila. Furthermore, we report that knockdown of CENP-A, as well as subunits ATPsyn-α, -βlike (a testis-specific paralogue of ATPsyn-β) and -γ disrupts sister centromere cohesion in meiotic prophase I. We find that this disruption is likely independent of reduced ATP levels. We identify that ATPsyn-α and -βlike localise to meiotic centromeres and that this localisation is dependent on the presence of CENP-A. We show that ATPsyn-α directly interacts with the N-terminus of CENP-A in vitro and that truncation of its N terminus perturbs sister centromere cohesion in prophase I. We propose that the CENP-A N-terminus recruits ATPsyn-α and -βlike to centromeres to promote sister centromere cohesion in a nuclear function that is independent of oxidative phosphorylation.

The histone H3 CENP-A is known to play a role during meiosis but its role in the testes in the fly is unknown. Here, the authors identify the mitochondrial metabolic protein complex ATP synthase F₁ as interacting with CENP-A, promoting centromere cohesion during meiosis and affecting fly fertility.

Spermiogenesis and Male Fertility Require the Function of Suppressor of Hairy-Wing in Somatic Cyst Cells of Drosophila

Drosophila Suppressor of Hairy-wing [Su(Hw)] protein is an example of a multivalent transcription factor. Although best known for its role in establishing the chromatin insulator of the gypsy retrotransposon, Su(Hw) functions as an activator and repressor at non-gypsy genomic sites. It remains unclear how the different regulatory activities of Su(Hw) are utilized during development. Motivated from observations of spatially restricted expression of Su(Hw) in the testis, we investigated the role of Su(Hw) in spermatogenesis to advance an understanding of its developmental contributions as an insulator, repressor, and activator protein. We discovered that Su(Hw) is required for sustained male fertility. Although dynamics of Su(Hw) expression coincide with changes in nuclear architecture and activation of coregulated testis-specific gene clusters, we show that loss of Su(Hw) does not disrupt meiotic chromosome pairing or transcription of testis-specific genes, suggesting that Su(Hw) has minor architectural or insulator functions in the testis. Instead, Su(Hw) has a prominent role as a repressor of neuronal genes, consistent with suggestions that Su(Hw) is a functional homolog of mammalian REST, a repressor of neuronal genes in non-neuronal tissues. We show that Su(Hw) regulates transcription in both germline and somatic cells. Surprisingly, the essential spermatogenesis function of Su(Hw) resides in somatic cyst cells, implying context-specific consequences due to loss of this transcription factor. Together, our studies highlight that Su(Hw) has a major developmental function as a transcriptional repressor, with the effect of its loss dependent upon the cell-specific factors.

Nucleolar activity and CENP-C regulate CENP-A and CAL1 availability for centromere assembly in meiosis

The centromere-specific histone CENP-A is the key epigenetic determinant of centromere identity. Whereas most histones are removed from mature sperm, CENP-A is retained to mark paternal centromeres. In Drosophila males we show that the centromere assembly factors CAL1 and CENP-C are required for meiotic chromosome segregation, CENP-A assembly and maintenance on sperm, as well as fertility. In meiosis, CENP-A accumulates with CAL1 in nucleoli. Furthermore, we show that CENP-C normally limits the release of CAL1 and CENP-A from nucleoli for proper centromere assembly in meiotic prophase I. Finally, we show that RNA polymerase I transcription is required for efficient CENP-A assembly in meiosis, as well as centromere tethering to nucleoli.

Summary: Novel roles are uncovered for centromere assembly factors CENP-C and CAL1 in meiotic chromosome segregation, CENP-A assembly and maintenance of sperm, as well as fertility in Drosophila males.

A few of our favorite things: Pairing, the bouquet, crossover interference and evolution of meiosis

Meiosis presents many important mysteries that await elucidation. Here we discuss two such aspects. First, we consider how the current meiotic program might have evolved. We emphasize the central feature of this program: how homologous chromosomes find one another ("pair") so as to create the connections required for their regular segregation at Meiosis I. Points of emphasis include the facts that: (i) the classical "bouquet stage" is not required for initial homolog contacts in the current evolved meiotic program; and (ii) diverse observations point to commonality between molecules that mediate meiotic inter-homolog interactions and molecules that are integral to centromeres and/or to microtubule organizing centers (a.k.a. spindle pole bodies or centrosomes). Second, we provide an overview of the classical phenomenon of crossover (CO) interference in an effort to bridge the gap between description on the one hand versus logic and mechanism on the other.

From equator to pole: splitting chromosomes in mitosis and meiosis

During eukaryotic cell division, chromosomes must be precisely partitioned to daughter cells. This relies on a mechanism to move chromosomes in defined directions within the parental cell. While sister chromatids are segregated from one another in mitosis and meiosis II, specific adaptations enable the segregation of homologous chromosomes during meiosis I to reduce ploidy for gamete production. Many of the factors that drive these directed chromosome movements are known, and their molecular mechanism has started to be uncovered. Here we review the mechanisms of eukaryotic chromosome segregation, with a particular emphasis on the modifications that ensure the segregation of homologous chromosomes during meiosis I.

Meiosis in male Drosophila

Meiosis entails sorting and separating both homologous and sister chromatids. The mechanisms for connecting sister chromatids and homologs during meiosis are highly conserved and include specialized forms of the cohesin complex and a tightly regulated homolog synapsis/recombination pathway designed to yield regular crossovers between homologous chromatids. Drosophila male meiosis is of special interest because it dispenses with large segments of the standard meiotic script, particularly recombination, synapsis and the associated structures. Instead, Drosophila relies on a unique protein complex composed of at least two novel proteins, SNM and MNM, to provide stable connections between homologs during meiosis I. Sister chromatid cohesion in Drosophila is mediated by cohesins, ring-shaped complexes that entrap sister chromatids. However, unlike other eukaryotes Drosophila does not rely on the highly conserved Rec8 cohesin in meiosis, but instead utilizes two novel cohesion proteins, ORD and SOLO, which interact with the SMC1/3 cohesin components in providing meiotic cohesion.

Chiasmatic and achiasmatic inverted meiosis of plants with holocentric chromosomes

Meiosis is a specialized cell division in sexually reproducing organisms before gamete formation. Following DNA replication, the canonical sequence in species with monocentric chromosomes is characterized by reductional segregation of homologous chromosomes during the first and equational segregation of sister chromatids during the second meiotic division. Species with holocentric chromosomes employ specific adaptations to ensure regular disjunction during meiosis. Here we present the analysis of two closely related plant species with holocentric chromosomes that display an inversion of the canonical meiotic sequence, with the equational division preceding the reductional. In-depth analysis of the meiotic divisions of Rhynchospora pubera and R. tenuis reveals that during meiosis I sister chromatids are bi-oriented, display amphitelic attachment to the spindle and are subsequently separated. During prophase II, chromatids are connected by thin chromatin threads that appear instrumental for the regular disjunction of homologous non-sister chromatids in meiosis II.

The absence of a defined centromere in organisms with holocentric chromosomes presents particular problems for the control of chromosome segregation during meiosis. Cabral et al. present evidence that two plant species overcome this challenge by inverting the conventional sequence of meiotic divisions.

The analysis of mutant alleles of different strength reveals multiple functions of topoisomerase 2 in regulation of Drosophila chromosome structure

Topoisomerase II is a major component of mitotic chromosomes but its role in the assembly and structural maintenance of chromosomes is rather controversial, as different chromosomal phenotypes have been observed in various organisms and in different studies on the same organism. In contrast to vertebrates that harbor two partially redundant Topo II isoforms, Drosophila and yeasts have a single Topo II enzyme. In addition, fly chromosomes, unlike those of yeast, are morphologically comparable to vertebrate chromosomes. Thus, Drosophila is a highly suitable system to address the role of Topo II in the assembly and structural maintenance of chromosomes. Here we show that modulation of Top2 function in living flies by means of mutant alleles of different strength and in vivo RNAi results in multiple cytological phenotypes. In weak Top2 mutants, meiotic chromosomes of males exhibit strong morphological abnormalities and dramatic segregation defects, while mitotic chromosomes of larval brain cells are not affected. In mutants of moderate strength, mitotic chromosome organization is normal, but anaphases display frequent chromatin bridges that result in chromosome breaks and rearrangements involving specific regions of the Y chromosome and 3L heterochromatin. Severe Top2 depletion resulted in many aneuploid and polyploid mitotic metaphases with poorly condensed heterochromatin and broken chromosomes. Finally, in the almost complete absence of Top2, mitosis in larval brains was virtually suppressed and in the rare mitotic figures observed chromosome morphology was disrupted. These results indicate that different residual levels of Top2 in mutant cells can result in different chromosomal phenotypes, and that the effect of a strong Top2 depletion can mask the effects of milder Top2 reductions. Thus, our results suggest that the previously observed discrepancies in the chromosomal phenotypes elicited by Topo II downregulation in vertebrates might depend on slight differences in Topo II concentration and/or activity.

Homologous pairing and the role of pairing centers in meiosis

Homologous pairing establishes the foundation for accurate reductional segregation during meiosis I in sexual organisms. This Commentary summarizes recent progress in our understanding of homologous pairing in meiosis, and will focus on the characteristics and mechanisms of specialized chromosome sites, called pairing centers (PCs), in Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. In C. elegans, each chromosome contains a single PC that stabilizes chromosome pairing and initiates synapsis of homologous chromosomes. Specific zinc-finger proteins recruited to PCs link chromosomes to nuclear envelope proteins--and through them to the microtubule cytoskeleton--thereby stimulating chromosome movements in early prophase, which are thought to be important for homolog sorting. This mechanism appears to be a variant of the 'telomere bouquet' process, in which telomeres cluster on the nuclear envelope, connect chromosomes through nuclear envelope proteins to the cytoskeleton and lead chromosome movements that promote homologous synapsis. In Drosophila males, which undergo meiosis without recombination, pairing of the largely non-homologous X and Y chromosomes occurs at specific repetitive sequences in the ribosomal DNA. Although no other clear examples of PC-based pairing mechanisms have been described, there is evidence for special roles of telomeres and centromeres in aspects of chromosome pairing, synapsis and segregation; these roles are in some cases similar to those of PCs.