The pch2Delta mutation in baker's yeast alters meiotic crossover levels and confers a defect in crossover interference

The conserved ATPase PCH-2 controls the number and distribution of crossovers by antagonizing crossover formation in C. elegans

Meiotic crossover recombination is essential for both accurate chromosome segregation and the generation of new haplotypes for natural selection to act upon. While the conserved role of the ATPase, PCH-2, during meiotic prophase has been enigmatic, a universal phenotype that is observed when pch-2 or its orthologs are mutated is a change in the number and distribution of meiotic crossovers. Here, we show that PCH-2 controls the number and distribution of crossovers by antagonizing crossover formation. This antagonism produces different effects at different stages of meiotic prophase: early in meiotic prophase, PCH-2 prevents double strand breaks from becoming crossovers, limiting crossovers at sites of initial DSB formation and homolog interactions. Later in meiotic prophase, PCH-2 winnows the number of crossover-eligible intermediates, contributing to the reinforcement of crossover-eligible intermediates, designation of crossovers and ultimately, crossover assurance. We also demonstrate that PCH-2 accomplishes this regulation through the meiotic HORMAD, HIM-3. Our data strongly support a model in which PCH-2's conserved role is to remodel meiotic HORMADs throughout meiotic prophase to destabilize crossover-eligible precursors, coordinate meiotic recombination with synapsis, and contribute to the progressive implementation of meiotic recombination, guaranteeing crossover control.

Crossover Interference Mediates Multiscale Patterning Along Meiotic Chromosomes

The classical phenomenon of crossover interference is a one-dimensional spatial patterning process that produces evenly spaced crossovers during meiosis. Quantitative analysis of diagnostic molecules along budding yeast chromosomes reveals that this process also sets up a second, interdigitated pattern of related but longer periodicity, in a "two-tiered" patterning process. The second tier corresponds to a previously mysterious minority set of crossovers. Thus, in toto, the two tiers account for all detected crossover events. Both tiers of patterning set up spatially clustered assemblies of three types of molecules ("triads") representing the three major components of meiotic chromosomes (crossover recombination complexes and chromosome axis and synaptonemal complex components), and give focal and domainal signals, respectively. Roles are suggested. All observed effects are economically and synthetically explained if crossover patterning is mediated by mechanical forces along prophase chromosomes. Intensity levels of domainal triad components are further modulated, dynamically, by the conserved protein remodeler Pch2/TRIP13.

Heterozygosity alters Msh5 binding to meiotic chromosomes in the baker's yeast

Meiotic crossovers are initiated from programmed DNA double-strand breaks. The Msh4-Msh5 heterodimer is an evolutionarily conserved mismatch repair-related protein complex that promotes meiotic crossovers by stabilizing strand invasion intermediates and joint molecule structures such as Holliday junctions. In vivo studies using homozygous strains of the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SK1) show that the Msh4-Msh5 complex associates with double-strand break hotspots, chromosome axes, and centromeres. Many organisms have heterozygous genomes that can affect the stability of strand invasion intermediates through heteroduplex rejection of mismatch-containing sequences. To examine Msh4-Msh5 function in a heterozygous context, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing (ChIP-seq) analysis in a rapidly sporulating hybrid S. cerevisiae strain (S288c-sp/YJM789, containing sporulation-enhancing QTLs from SK1), using SNP information to distinguish reads from homologous chromosomes. Overall, Msh5 localization in this hybrid strain was similar to that determined in the homozygous strain (SK1). However, relative Msh5 levels were reduced in regions of high heterozygosity, suggesting that high mismatch densities reduce levels of recombination intermediates to which Msh4-Msh5 binds. Msh5 peaks were also wider in the hybrid background compared to the homozygous strain (SK1). We determined regions containing heteroduplex DNA by detecting chimeric sequence reads with SNPs from both parents. Msh5-bound double-strand break hotspots overlap with regions that have chimeric DNA, consistent with Msh5 binding to heteroduplex-containing recombination intermediates.

Exportin-mediated nucleocytoplasmic transport maintains Pch2 homeostasis during meiosis

The meiotic recombination checkpoint reinforces the order of events during meiotic prophase I, ensuring the accurate distribution of chromosomes to the gametes. The AAA+ ATPase Pch2 remodels the Hop1 axial protein enabling adequate levels of Hop1-T318 phosphorylation to support the ensuing checkpoint response. While these events are localized at chromosome axes, the checkpoint activating function of Pch2 relies on its cytoplasmic population. In contrast, forced nuclear accumulation of Pch2 leads to checkpoint inactivation. Here, we reveal the mechanism by which Pch2 travels from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm to maintain Pch2 cellular homeostasis. Leptomycin B treatment provokes the nuclear accumulation of Pch2, indicating that its nucleocytoplasmic transport is mediated by the Crm1 exportin recognizing proteins containing Nuclear Export Signals (NESs). Consistently, leptomycin B leads to checkpoint inactivation and impaired Hop1 axial localization. Pch2 nucleocytoplasmic traffic is independent of its association with Zip1 and Orc1. We also identify a functional NES in the non-catalytic N-terminal domain of Pch2 that is required for its nucleocytoplasmic trafficking and proper checkpoint activity. In sum, we unveil another layer of control of Pch2 function during meiosis involving nuclear export via the exportin pathway that is crucial to maintain the critical balance of Pch2 distribution among different cellular compartments.

OsPRD2 is essential for double-strand break formation, but not spindle assembly during rice meiosis

Meiotic recombination starts with the programmed formation of double-strand breaks (DSB) in DNA, which are catalyzed by SPO11, a type II topoisomerase that is evolutionarily conserved, and several other accessary proteins. Homologs of MEIOSIS INHIBITOR 4 (MEI4/REC24/PRD2) are proteins that are also essential for the generation of meiotic DSBs in budding yeast, mice and Arabidopsis thaliana. In Arabidopsis, the protein ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA PUTATIVE RECOMBINATION INITIATION DEFECTS 2/MULTIPOLAR SPINDLE 1 (AtPRD2/MPS1) has been shown to have additional roles in spindle assembly, indicating a functional diversification. Here we characterize the role of the rice MEI4/PRD2 homolog in meiosis. The osprd2 mutant was completely male and female sterile. In male meiocytes of osprd2, no γH2AX foci were detected and twenty-four univalents were produced at diakinesis, suggesting that OsPRD2 is essential for DSB generation. OsPRD2 showed a dynamic localization during meiosis. For instance, OsPRD2 foci first appeared as discrete signals across chromosome at leptotene, and then became confined to the centromeres during zygotene, suggesting that they might be involved in assembly of the spindle. However we did not observe any obvious aberrant morphologies in neither the organization of the bipolar spindle nor in the orientation of the kinetochore in the mutant. These findings suggest that in rice PRD2 might not be required for spindle assembly and organization, as it does in Arabidopsis. Taken together our results indicate that plant MEI4/PRD2 homologs do play a conserved role in the formation of meiotic DSBs in DNA, but that their involvement in bipolar spindle assembly is rather species-specific.

ZYP1-mediated recruitment of PCH2 to the synaptonemal complex remodels the chromosome axis leading to crossover restriction

Chromosome axis-associated HORMA domain proteins (HORMADs), e.g. ASY1 in Arabidopsis, are crucial for meiotic recombination. ASY1, as other HORMADs, is assembled on the axis at early meiosis and depleted when homologous chromosomes synapse. Puzzlingly, both processes are catalyzed by AAA+ ATPase PCH2 together with its cofactor COMET. Here, we show that the ASY1 remodeling complex is temporally and spatially differently assembled. While PCH2 and COMET appear to directly interact in the cytoplasm in early meiosis, PCH2 is recruited by the transverse filament protein ZYP1 and brought to the ASY1-bound COMET assuring the timely removal of ASY1 during chromosome synapsis. Since we found that the PCH2 homolog TRIP13 also binds to the ZYP1 homolog SYCP1 in mouse, we postulate that this mechanism is conserved among eukaryotes. Deleting the PCH2 binding site of ZYP1 led to a failure of ASY1 removal. Interestingly, the placement of one obligatory crossover per homologous chromosome pair, compromised by ZYP1 depletion, is largely restored in this separation-of-function zyp1 allele suggesting that crossover assurance is promoted by synapsis. In contrast, this zyp1 allele, similar to the zyp1 null mutant, showed elevated type I crossover numbers indicating that PCH2-mediated eviction of ASY1 from the axis restricts crossover formation.

Turning coldspots into hotspots: targeted recruitment of axis protein Hop1 stimulates meiotic recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The DNA double-strand breaks that initiate meiotic recombination are formed in the context of the meiotic chromosome axis, which in Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains a meiosis-specific cohesin isoform and the meiosis-specific proteins Hop1 and Red1. Hop1 and Red1 are important for double-strand break formation; double-strand break levels are reduced in their absence and their levels, which vary along the lengths of chromosomes, are positively correlated with double-strand break levels. How axis protein levels influence double-strand break formation and recombination remains unclear. To address this question, we developed a novel approach that uses a bacterial ParB-parS partition system to recruit axis proteins at high levels to inserts at recombination coldspots where Hop1 and Red1 levels are normally low. Recruiting Hop1 markedly increased double-strand breaks and homologous recombination at target loci, to levels equivalent to those observed at endogenous recombination hotspots. This local increase in double-strand breaks did not require Red1 or the meiosis-specific cohesin component Rec8, indicating that, of the axis proteins, Hop1 is sufficient to promote double-strand break formation. However, while most crossovers at endogenous recombination hotspots are formed by the meiosis-specific MutLγ resolvase, crossovers that formed at an insert locus were only modestly reduced in the absence of MutLγ, regardless of whether or not Hop1 was recruited to that locus. Thus, while local Hop1 levels determine local double-strand break levels, the recombination pathways that repair these breaks can be determined by other factors, raising the intriguing possibility that different recombination pathways operate in different parts of the genome.

Meiotic crossover interference: Methods of analysis and mechanisms of action

Segregation of chromosomes during meiosis, to form haploid gametes from diploid precursor cells, requires in most species formation of crossovers physically connecting homologous chromosomes. Along with sister chromatid cohesion, crossovers allow tension to be generated when chromosomes begin to segregate; tension signals that chromosome movement is proceeding properly. But crossovers too close to each other might result in less sister chromatid cohesion and tension and thus failed meiosis. Interference describes the non-random distribution of crossovers, which occur farther apart than expected from independence. We discuss both genetic and cytological methods of assaying crossover interference and models for interference, whose molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. We note marked differences among species.

Chromosome-specific behaviors during early meiosis

Inheriting the wrong number of chromosomes is one of the leading causes of infertility and birth defects in humans. However, in many organisms, individual chromosomes vary dramatically in both organization, sequence, and size. Chromosome segregation systems must be capable of accounting for these differences to reliably segregate chromosomes. During gametogenesis, meiosis ensures that all chromosomes segregate properly into gametes (i.e., egg or sperm). Interestingly, not all chromosomes exhibit the same dynamics during meiosis, which can lead to chromosome-specific behaviors and defects. This review will summarize some of the chromosome-specific meiotic events that are currently known and discuss their impact on meiotic outcomes.

PCH-2 and meiotic HORMADs: A module for evolutionary innovation in meiosis?

Sexual reproduction and the specialized cell division it relies upon, meiosis, are biological processes that present an incredible degree of both evolutionary conservation and divergence. One clear example of this paradox is the role of the evolutionarily ancient PCH-2/HORMAD module during meiosis. On one hand, the complex, and sometimes disparate, meiotic defects observed when PCH-2 and/or the meiotic HORMADS are mutated in different model systems have prevented a straightforward characterization of their conserved functions. On the other hand, these functional variations demonstrate the impressive molecular rewiring that accompanies evolution of the meiotic processes these factors are involved in. While the defects observed in pch-2 mutants appear to vary in different systems, in this review, I argue that PCH-2 has a conserved meiotic function: to coordinate meiotic recombination with synapsis to ensure an appropriate number and distribution of crossovers. Further, given the dramatic variation in how the events of recombination and synapsis are themselves regulated in different model systems, the mechanistic differences in PCH-2 and meiotic HORMAD function make biological sense when viewed as species-specific elaborations layered onto this fundamental, conserved role.

Does the Pachytene Checkpoint, a Feature of Meiosis, Filter Out Mistakes in Double-Strand DNA Break Repair and as a side-Effect Strongly Promote Adaptive Speciation?

This essay aims to explain two biological puzzles: why eukaryotic transcription units are composed of short segments of coding DNA interspersed with long stretches of non-coding (intron) DNA, and the near ubiquity of sexual reproduction. As is well known, alternative splicing of its coding sequences enables one transcription unit to produce multiple variants of each encoded protein. Additionally, padding transcription units with non-coding DNA (often many thousands of base pairs long) provides a readily evolvable way to set how soon in a cell cycle the various mRNAs will begin being expressed and the total amount of mRNA that each transcription unit can make during a cell cycle. This regulation complements control via the transcriptional promoter and facilitates the creation of complex eukaryotic cell types, tissues, and organisms. However, it also makes eukaryotes exceedingly vulnerable to double-strand DNA breaks, which end-joining break repair pathways can repair incorrectly. Transcription units cover such a large fraction of the genome that any mis-repair producing a reorganized chromosome has a high probability of destroying a gene. During meiosis, the synaptonemal complex aligns homologous chromosome pairs and the pachytene checkpoint detects, selectively arrests, and in many organisms actively destroys gamete-producing cells with chromosomes that cannot adequately synapse; this creates a filter favoring transmission to the next generation of chromosomes that retain the parental organization, while selectively culling those with interrupted transcription units. This same meiotic checkpoint, reacting to accidental chromosomal reorganizations inflicted by error-prone break repair, can, as a side effect, provide a mechanism for the formation of new species in sympatry. It has been a long-standing puzzle how something as seemingly maladaptive as hybrid sterility between such new species can arise. I suggest that this paradox is resolved by understanding the adaptive importance of the pachytene checkpoint, as outlined above.

Pch2 orchestrates the meiotic recombination checkpoint from the cytoplasm

During meiosis, defects in critical events trigger checkpoint activation and restrict cell cycle progression. The budding yeast Pch2 AAA+ ATPase orchestrates the checkpoint response launched by synapsis deficiency; deletion of PCH2 or mutation of the ATPase catalytic sites suppress the meiotic block of the zip1Δ mutant lacking the central region of the synaptonemal complex. Pch2 action enables adequate levels of phosphorylation of the Hop1 axial component at threonine 318, which in turn promotes activation of the Mek1 effector kinase and the ensuing checkpoint response. In zip1Δ chromosomes, Pch2 is exclusively associated to the rDNA region, but this nucleolar fraction is not required for checkpoint activation, implying that another yet uncharacterized Pch2 population must be responsible for this function. Here, we have artificially redirected Pch2 to different subcellular compartments by adding ectopic Nuclear Export (NES) or Nuclear Localization (NLS) sequences, or by trapping Pch2 in an immobile extranuclear domain, and we have evaluated the effect on Hop1 chromosomal distribution and checkpoint activity. We have also deciphered the spatial and functional impact of Pch2 regulators including Orc1, Dot1 and Nup2. We conclude that the cytoplasmic pool of Pch2 is sufficient to support the meiotic recombination checkpoint involving the subsequent Hop1-Mek1 activation on chromosomes, whereas the nuclear accumulation of Pch2 has pathological consequences. We propose that cytoplasmic Pch2 provokes a conformational change in Hop1 that poises it for its chromosomal incorporation and phosphorylation. Our discoveries shed light into the intricate regulatory network controlling the accurate balance of Pch2 distribution among different cellular compartments, which is essential for proper meiotic outcomes.

During gametogenesis, the number of chromosomes is reduced by half and it returns to the normal ploidy when the two gametes fuse during fertilization. Meiosis lies at the heart of gametogenesis because it is the specialized cell division making possible the reduction in ploidy. The fidelity in this process is essential to maintain the chromosome complement characteristic of the species and to avoid aneuploidies. Meiotic cells possess an intricate surveillance network that monitors crucial meiotic events. In response to defects in synapsis and recombination, the meiotic recombination checkpoint blocks meiotic cell cycle progression, thus avoiding aberrant chromosome segregation and formation of defective gametes. The AAA+ ATPase Pch2 is an essential component of the checkpoint response triggered by the recombination defects occurring in the zip1Δ mutant lacking the central region of the synaptonemal complex. Pch2 supports proper chromosomal localization and phosphorylation of the Hop1 axial component required for the ensuing checkpoint response. We reveal here the biological relevance of a cytoplasmic population of Pch2 that is necessary for meiotic events occurring on chromosomes. Using a variety of strategies, we demonstrate that the checkpoint activating function of Pch2 takes place outside the nucleus, whereas the nuclear accumulation of Pch2 has deleterious consequences. Our work highlights the importance of nucleocytoplasmic communication for a balanced distribution of Pch2 among different subcellular compartments and how it impinges on Hop1 dynamics, which is crucial for proper completion of the meiotic program.

Meiotic chromosome axis remodelling is critical for meiotic recombination in Brassica rapa

Meiosis generates genetic variation through homologous recombination (HR) that is harnessed during breeding. HR occurs in the context of meiotic chromosome axes and the synaptonemal complex. To study the role of axis remodelling in crossover (CO) formation in a crop species, we characterized mutants of the axis-associated protein ASY1 and the axis-remodelling protein PCH2 in Brassica rapa. asy1 plants form meiotic chromosome axes that fail to synapse. CO formation is almost abolished, and residual chiasmata are proportionally enriched in terminal chromosome regions, particularly in the nucleolar organizing region (NOR)-carrying chromosome arm. pch2 plants show impaired ASY1 loading and remodelling, consequently achieving only partial synapsis, which leads to reduced CO formation and loss of the obligatory CO. PCH2-independent chiasmata are proportionally enriched towards distal chromosome regions. Similarly, in Arabidopsis pch2, COs are increased towards telomeric regions at the expense of (peri-) centromeric COs compared with the wild type. Taken together, in B. rapa, axis formation and remodelling are critical for meiotic fidelity including synapsis and CO formation, and in asy1 and pch2 CO distributions are altered. While asy1 plants are sterile, pch2 plants are semi-sterile and thus PCH2 could be an interesting target for breeding programmes.

Getting there: understanding the chromosomal recruitment of the AAA+ ATPase Pch2/TRIP13 during meiosis

The generally conserved AAA+ ATPase Pch2/TRIP13 is involved in diverse aspects of meiosis, such as prophase checkpoint function, DNA break regulation, and meiotic recombination. The controlled recruitment of Pch2 to meiotic chromosomes allows it to use its ATPase activity to influence HORMA protein-dependent signaling. Because of the connection between Pch2 chromosomal recruitment and its functional roles in meiosis, it is important to reveal the molecular details that govern Pch2 localization. Here, we review the current understanding of the different factors that control the recruitment of Pch2 to meiotic chromosomes, with a focus on research performed in budding yeast. During meiosis in this organism, Pch2 is enriched within the nucleolus, where it likely associates with the specialized chromatin of the ribosomal (r)DNA. Pch2 is also found on non-rDNA euchromatin, where its recruitment is contingent on Zip1, a component of the synaptonemal complex (SC) that assembles between homologous chromosomes. We discuss recent findings connecting the recruitment of Pch2 with its association with the Origin Recognition Complex (ORC) and reliance on RNA Polymerase II-dependent transcription. In total, we provide a comprehensive overview of the pathways that control the chromosomal association of an important meiotic regulator.

Homeostatic Control of Meiotic Prophase Checkpoint Function by Pch2 and Hop1

Checkpoint cascades link cell cycle progression with essential chromosomal processes. During meiotic prophase, recombination and chromosome synapsis are monitored by what are considered distinct checkpoints. In budding yeast, cells that lack the AAA+ ATPase Pch2 show an impaired cell cycle arrest in response to synapsis defects. However, unperturbed pch2Δ cells are delayed in meiotic prophase, suggesting paradoxical roles for Pch2 in cell cycle progression. Here, we provide insight into the checkpoint roles of Pch2 and its connection to Hop1, a HORMA domain-containing client protein. Contrary to current understanding, we find that Pch2 (together with Hop1) is crucial for checkpoint function in response to both recombination and synapsis defects, thus revealing a shared meiotic checkpoint cascade. Meiotic checkpoint responses are transduced by DNA break-dependent phosphorylation of Hop1. Based on our data and on the described effect of Pch2 on HORMA topology, we propose that Pch2 promotes checkpoint proficiency by catalyzing the availability of signaling-competent Hop1. Conversely, we demonstrate that Pch2 can act as a checkpoint silencer, also in the face of persistent DNA repair defects. We establish a framework in which Pch2 and Hop1 form a homeostatic module that governs general meiotic checkpoint function. We show that this module can-depending on the cellular context-fuel or extinguish meiotic checkpoint function, which explains the contradictory roles of Pch2 in cell cycle control. Within the meiotic prophase checkpoint, the Pch2-Hop1 module thus operates analogous to the Pch2/TRIP13-Mad2 module in the spindle assembly checkpoint that monitors chromosome segregation.

Conformational dynamics of the Hop1 HORMA domain reveal a common mechanism with the spindle checkpoint protein Mad2

The HORMA domain is a highly conserved protein–protein interaction module found in eukaryotic signaling proteins including the spindle assembly checkpoint protein Mad2 and the meiotic HORMAD proteins. HORMA domain proteins interact with short ‘closure motifs’ in partner proteins by wrapping their C-terminal ‘safety belt’ region entirely around these motifs, forming topologically-closed complexes. Closure motif binding and release requires large-scale conformational changes in the HORMA domain, but such changes have only been observed in Mad2. Here, we show that Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hop1, a master regulator of meiotic recombination, possesses conformational dynamics similar to Mad2. We identify closure motifs in the Hop1 binding partner Red1 and in Hop1 itself, revealing that HORMA domain–closure motif interactions underlie both Hop1’s initial recruitment to the chromosome axis and its self-assembly on the axis. We further show that Hop1 adopts two distinct folded states in solution, one corresponding to the previously-observed ‘closed’ conformation, and a second more extended state in which the safety belt region has disengaged from the HORMA domain core. These data reveal strong mechanistic similarities between meiotic HORMADs and Mad2, and provide a mechanistic basis for understanding both meiotic chromosome axis assembly and its remodeling by the AAA+ ATPase Pch2/TRIP13.

Noncanonical Contributions of MutLγ to VDE-Initiated Crossovers During Saccharomyces cerevisiae Meiosis

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the meiosis-specific axis proteins Hop1 and Red1 are present nonuniformly across the genome. In a previous study, the meiosis-specific VMA1-derived endonuclease (VDE) was used to examine Spo11-independent recombination in a recombination reporter inserted in a Hop1/Red1-enriched region (HIS4) and in a Hop1/Red1-poor region (URA3). VDE-initiated crossovers at HIS4 were mostly dependent on Mlh3, a component of the MutLγ meiotic recombination intermediate resolvase, while VDE-initiated crossovers at URA3 were mostly Mlh3-independent. These differences were abolished in the absence of the chromosome axis remodeler Pch2, and crossovers at both loci became partly Mlh3-dependent. To test the generality of these observations, we examined inserts at six additional loci that differed in terms of Hop1/Red1 enrichment, chromosome size, and distance from centromeres and telomeres. All six loci behaved similarly to URA3: the vast majority of VDE-initiated crossovers were Mlh3-independent. This indicates that, counter to previous suggestions, levels of meiotic chromosome axis protein enrichment alone do not determine which recombination pathway gives rise to crossovers during VDE-initiated meiotic recombination. In pch2∆ mutants, the fraction of VDE-induced crossovers that were Mlh3-dependent increased to levels previously observed for Spo11-initiated crossovers in pch2∆, indicating that Pch2-dependent processes play an important role in controlling the balance between MutLγ-dependent and MutLγ-independent crossovers.

Characterization of Pch2 localization determinants reveals a nucleolar-independent role in the meiotic recombination checkpoint

The meiotic recombination checkpoint blocks meiotic cell cycle progression in response to synapsis and/or recombination defects to prevent aberrant chromosome segregation. The evolutionarily conserved budding yeast Pch2^TRIP13 AAA+ ATPase participates in this pathway by supporting phosphorylation of the Hop1^HORMAD adaptor at T318. In the wild type, Pch2 localizes to synapsed chromosomes and to the unsynapsed rDNA region (nucleolus), excluding Hop1. In contrast, in synaptonemal complex (SC)-defective zip1Δ mutants, which undergo checkpoint activation, Pch2 is detected only on the nucleolus. Alterations in some epigenetic marks that lead to Pch2 dispersion from the nucleolus suppress zip1Δ-induced checkpoint arrest. These observations have led to the notion that Pch2 nucleolar localization could be important for the meiotic recombination checkpoint. Here we investigate how Pch2 chromosomal distribution impacts checkpoint function. We have generated and characterized several mutations that alter Pch2 localization pattern resulting in aberrant Hop1 distribution and compromised meiotic checkpoint response. Besides the AAA+ signature, we have identified a basic motif in the extended N-terminal domain critical for Pch2's checkpoint function and localization. We have also examined the functional relevance of the described Orc1-Pch2 interaction. Both proteins colocalize in the rDNA, and Orc1 depletion during meiotic prophase prevents Pch2 targeting to the rDNA allowing unwanted Hop1 accumulation on this region. However, Pch2 association with SC components remains intact in the absence of Orc1. We finally show that checkpoint activation is not affected by the lack of Orc1 demonstrating that, in contrast to previous hypotheses, nucleolar localization of Pch2 is actually dispensable for the meiotic checkpoint.

Genome wide analysis of meiotic recombination in yeast: For a few SNPs more

Diploid organisms undergo meiosis to produce haploid germ cells. Crossover events during meiosis promote genetic diversity and facilitate accurate chromosome segregation. The baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is extensively used as a model for analysis of meiotic recombination. Conventional methods for measuring recombination events in S. cerevisiae have been limited by the number and density of genetic markers. Next generation sequencing (NGS)-based analysis of hybrid yeast genomes bearing thousands of heterozygous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers has revolutionized analysis of meiotic recombination. By facilitating analysis of marker segregation in the whole genome with unprecedented resolution, this method has resulted in the generation of high-resolution recombination maps in wild-type and meiotic mutants. These studies have provided novel insights into the mechanism of meiotic recombination. In this review, we discuss the methodology, challenges, insights and future prospects of using NGS-based methods for whole genome analysis of meiotic recombination. The objective is to facilitate the use of these high through-put sequencing methods for the analysis of meiotic recombination given their power to provide significant new insights into the process. © 2018 The Authors. IUBMB Life published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 70(8):743-752, 2018.

Modulating Crossover Frequency and Interference for Obligate Crossovers in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Meiosis

Meiotic crossover frequencies show wide variation among organisms. But most organisms maintain at least one crossover per homolog pair (obligate crossover). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, previous studies have shown crossover frequencies are reduced in the mismatch repair related mutant mlh3Δ and enhanced in a meiotic checkpoint mutant pch2Δ by up to twofold at specific chromosomal loci, but both mutants maintain high spore viability. We analyzed meiotic recombination events genome-wide in mlh3Δ, pch2Δ, and mlh3Δ pch2Δ mutants to test the effect of variation in crossover frequency on obligate crossovers. mlh3Δ showed ∼30% genome-wide reduction in crossovers (64 crossovers per meiosis) and loss of the obligate crossover, but nonexchange chromosomes were efficiently segregated. pch2Δ showed ∼50% genome-wide increase in crossover frequency (137 crossovers per meiosis), elevated noncrossovers as well as loss of chromosome size dependent double-strand break formation. Meiotic defects associated with pch2∆ did not cause significant increase in nonexchange chromosome frequency. Crossovers were restored to wild-type frequency in the double mutant mlh3Δ pch2Δ (100 crossovers per meiosis), but obligate crossovers were compromised. Genetic interference was reduced in mlh3Δ, pch2Δ, and mlh3Δ pch2Δ. Triple mutant analysis of mlh3Δ pch2Δ with other resolvase mutants showed that most of the crossovers in mlh3Δ pch2Δ are made through the Mus81-Mms4 pathway. These results are consistent with a requirement for increased crossover frequencies in the absence of genetic interference for obligate crossovers. In conclusion, these data suggest crossover frequencies and the strength of genetic interference in an organism are mutually optimized to ensure obligate crossovers.

The Pch2 AAA+ ATPase promotes phosphorylation of the Hop1 meiotic checkpoint adaptor in response to synaptonemal complex defects

Meiotic cells possess surveillance mechanisms that monitor critical events such as recombination and chromosome synapsis. Meiotic defects resulting from the absence of the synaptonemal complex component Zip1 activate a meiosis-specific checkpoint network resulting in delayed or arrested meiotic progression. Pch2 is an evolutionarily conserved AAA+ ATPase required for the checkpoint-induced meiotic block in the zip1 mutant, where Pch2 is only detectable at the ribosomal DNA array (nucleolus). We describe here that high levels of the Hop1 protein, a checkpoint adaptor that localizes to chromosome axes, suppress the checkpoint defect of a zip1 pch2 mutant restoring Mek1 activity and meiotic cell cycle delay. We demonstrate that the critical role of Pch2 in this synapsis checkpoint is to sustain Mec1-dependent phosphorylation of Hop1 at threonine 318. We also show that the ATPase activity of Pch2 is essential for its checkpoint function and that ATP binding to Pch2 is required for its localization. Previous work has shown that Pch2 negatively regulates Hop1 chromosome abundance during unchallenged meiosis. Based on our results, we propose that, under checkpoint-inducing conditions, Pch2 also possesses a positive action on Hop1 promoting its phosphorylation and its proper distribution on unsynapsed chromosome axes.

A Computational Approach to Estimating Nondisjunction Frequency in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Errors segregating homologous chromosomes during meiosis result in aneuploid gametes and are the largest contributing factor to birth defects and spontaneous abortions in humans. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has long served as a model organism for studying the gene network supporting normal chromosome segregation. Measuring homolog nondisjunction frequencies is laborious, and involves dissecting thousands of tetrads to detect missegregation of individually marked chromosomes. Here we describe a computational method (TetFit) to estimate the relative contributions of meiosis I nondisjunction and random-spore death to spore inviability in wild type and mutant strains. These values are based on finding the best-fit distribution of 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0 viable-spore tetrads to an observed distribution. Using TetFit, we found that meiosis I nondisjunction is an intrinsic component of spore inviability in wild-type strains. We show proof-of-principle that the calculated average meiosis I nondisjunction frequency determined by TetFit closely matches empirically determined values in mutant strains. Using these published data sets, TetFit uncovered two classes of mutants: Class A mutants skew toward increased nondisjunction death, and include those with known defects in establishing pairing, recombination, and/or synapsis of homologous chromosomes. Class B mutants skew toward random spore death, and include those with defects in sister-chromatid cohesion and centromere function. Epistasis analysis using TetFit is facilitated by the low numbers of tetrads (as few as 200) required to compare the contributions to spore death in different mutant backgrounds. TetFit analysis does not require any special strain construction, and can be applied to previously observed tetrad distributions.

Phosphorylation of the Synaptonemal Complex Protein Zip1 Regulates the Crossover/Noncrossover Decision during Yeast Meiosis

Interhomolog crossovers promote proper chromosome segregation during meiosis and are formed by the regulated repair of programmed double-strand breaks. This regulation requires components of the synaptonemal complex (SC), a proteinaceous structure formed between homologous chromosomes. In yeast, SC formation requires the "ZMM" genes, which encode a functionally diverse set of proteins, including the transverse filament protein, Zip1. In wild-type meiosis, Zmm proteins promote the biased resolution of recombination intermediates into crossovers that are distributed throughout the genome by interference. In contrast, noncrossovers are formed primarily through synthesis-dependent strand annealing mediated by the Sgs1 helicase. This work identifies a conserved region on the C terminus of Zip1 (called Zip1 4S), whose phosphorylation is required for the ZMM pathway of crossover formation. Zip1 4S phosphorylation is promoted both by double-strand breaks (DSBs) and the meiosis-specific kinase, MEK1/MRE4, demonstrating a role for MEK1 in the regulation of interhomolog crossover formation, as well as interhomolog bias. Failure to phosphorylate Zip1 4S results in meiotic prophase arrest, specifically in the absence of SGS1. This gain of function meiotic arrest phenotype is suppressed by spo11Δ, suggesting that it is due to unrepaired breaks triggering the meiotic recombination checkpoint. Epistasis experiments combining deletions of individual ZMM genes with sgs1-md zip1-4A indicate that Zip1 4S phosphorylation functions prior to the other ZMMs. These results suggest that phosphorylation of Zip1 at DSBs commits those breaks to repair via the ZMM pathway and provides a mechanism by which the crossover/noncrossover decision can be dynamically regulated during yeast meiosis.

TRIP13PCH-2 promotes Mad2 localization to unattached kinetochores in the spindle checkpoint response

The ability of the conserved ATPase TRIP13^PCH-2 to disassemble a Mad2-containing complex is critical to promote the spindle checkpoint response by contributing to the robust localization of Mad2 to unattached kinetochores.

The spindle checkpoint acts during cell division to prevent aneuploidy, a hallmark of cancer. During checkpoint activation, Mad1 recruits Mad2 to kinetochores to generate a signal that delays anaphase onset. Yet, whether additional factors contribute to Mad2’s kinetochore localization remains unclear. Here, we report that the conserved AAA+ ATPase TRIP13^PCH-2 localizes to unattached kinetochores and is required for spindle checkpoint activation in Caenorhabditis elegans. pch-2 mutants effectively localized Mad1 to unattached kinetochores, but Mad2 recruitment was significantly reduced. Furthermore, we show that the C. elegans orthologue of the Mad2 inhibitor p31(comet)^CMT-1 interacts with TRIP13^PCH-2 and is required for its localization to unattached kinetochores. These factors also genetically interact, as loss of p31(comet)^CMT-1 partially suppressed the requirement for TRIP13^PCH-2 in Mad2 localization and spindle checkpoint signaling. These data support a model in which the ability of TRIP13^PCH-2 to disassemble a p31(comet)/Mad2 complex, which has been well characterized in the context of checkpoint silencing, is also critical for spindle checkpoint activation.

Meiotic Recombination: The Essence of Heredity

The study of homologous recombination has its historical roots in meiosis. In this context, recombination occurs as a programmed event that culminates in the formation of crossovers, which are essential for accurate chromosome segregation and create new combinations of parental alleles. Thus, meiotic recombination underlies both the independent assortment of parental chromosomes and genetic linkage. This review highlights the features of meiotic recombination that distinguish it from recombinational repair in somatic cells, and how the molecular processes of meiotic recombination are embedded and interdependent with the chromosome structures that characterize meiotic prophase. A more in-depth review presents our understanding of how crossover and noncrossover pathways of meiotic recombination are differentiated and regulated. The final section of this review summarizes the studies that have defined defective recombination as a leading cause of pregnancy loss and congenital disease in humans.

Arabidopsis PCH2 Mediates Meiotic Chromosome Remodeling and Maturation of Crossovers

Meiotic chromosomes are organized into linear looped chromatin arrays by a protein axis localized along the loop-bases. Programmed remodelling of the axis occurs during prophase I of meiosis. Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) has revealed dynamic changes in the chromosome axis in Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica oleracea. We show that the axis associated protein ASY1 is depleted during zygotene concomitant with synaptonemal complex (SC) formation. Study of an Atpch2 mutant demonstrates this requires the conserved AAA+ ATPase, PCH2, which localizes to the sites of axis remodelling. Loss of PCH2 leads to a failure to deplete ASY1 from the axes and compromizes SC polymerisation. Immunolocalization of recombination proteins in Atpch2 indicates that recombination initiation and CO designation during early prophase I occur normally. Evidence suggests that CO interference is initially functional in the mutant but there is a defect in CO maturation following designation. This leads to a reduction in COs and a failure to form COs between some homologous chromosome pairs leading to univalent chromosomes at metaphase I. Genetic analysis reveals that CO distribution is also affected in some chromosome regions. Together these data indicate that the axis remodelling defect in Atpch2 disrupts normal patterned formation of COs.

In the reproductive cells of many eukaryotes, a process called meiosis generates haploid gametes. During meiosis, homologous parental chromosomes (homologs) recombine forming crossovers (CO) that provide genetic variation. CO formation generates physical links called chiasmata, which are essential for accurate homolog segregation. CO control designates a sub-set of recombination precursors that will mature to form at least one chiasma between each homolog pair. Recombination is accompanied by extensive chromosome reorganization. Formation of a proteinaceous axis organizes the pairs of sister chromatids of each homolog into conjoined linear looped chromatin arrays. Pairs of homologs then align and synapse becoming closely associated along their length by a protein structure, the synaptonemal complex (SC). The SC is disassembled at the end of prophase I and recombination is completed. We have investigated the link between recombination and chromosome remodelling by analysing the role of a protein, PCH2, which we show is required for remodelling of the chromosome axis during SC formation. In wild type, immunolocalization reveals depletion of the axis-associated signal of the axis component, ASY1, along synapsed regions of the chromosomes. In the absence of PCH2, the ASY1 signal is not depleted from the chromosome axis and the SC does not form normally. Although this defect in chromosome remodelling has no obvious effect on CO designation, CO maturation is perturbed such that the formation of at least one CO per homolog pair no longer occurs.

Evidence that histone H1 is dispensable for proper meiotic recombination in budding yeast

BACKGROUND

Histone H1, referred to as the linker histone, associates with the nucleosome core particle. While there is indication that the budding yeast version of histone H1 (Hho1) contributes to regulation of chromatin structure and certain chromatin-related processes, such as DNA double-strand break repair, cells lacking Hho1 are healthy and display subtle phenotypes. A recent report has revealed that Hho1 is required for optimal sporulation. The studies described here were conducted to determine whether Hho1 influences meiotic recombination, an event that occurs during sporulation, involves generation and repair of DNA double-strand breaks, and is critical for spore viability.

FINDINGS

Through tetrad analysis, cells with or without Hho1 were compared for meiotic reciprocal recombination events within several chromosome XV intervals. Parameters investigated included crossover frequency (genetic map distance) and crossover interference. No significant differences were detected between the two cell types. In agreement with earlier studies, spore viability was not affected by Hho1 absence.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that complete absence of Hho1 from chromatin does not affect reciprocal recombination between homologous chromosomes during meiosis. Therefore, the basal level of Hho1 that remains after its reported depletion early in meiosis is unlikely to be important for regulating recombination. Furthermore, the subsequent accumulation of Hho1 as the haploid products mature does not appear to be crucial for spore viability.

The meiotic checkpoint network: step-by-step through meiotic prophase

The generation of haploid gametes by meiosis is a highly conserved process for sexually reproducing organisms that, in almost all cases, involves the extensive breakage of chromosomes. These chromosome breaks occur during meiotic prophase and are essential for meiotic recombination as well as the subsequent segregation of homologous chromosomes. However, their formation and repair must be carefully monitored and choreographed with nuclear dynamics and the cell division program to avoid the creation of aberrant chromosomes and defective gametes. It is becoming increasingly clear that an intricate checkpoint-signaling network related to the canonical DNA damage response is deeply interwoven with the meiotic program and preserves order during meiotic prophase. This meiotic checkpoint network (MCN) creates a wide range of dependent relationships controlling chromosome movement, chromosome pairing, chromatin structure, and double-strand break (DSB) repair. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the MCN. We discuss commonalities and differences in different experimental systems, with a particular emphasis on the emerging design principles that control and limit cross talk between signals to ultimately ensure the faithful inheritance of chromosomes by the next generation.

Crossover localisation is regulated by the neddylation posttranslational regulatory pathway

A genetic study finds the neddylation pathway (known to-date for post-translational protein modification) is involved in regulating crossover localization but not crossover number during meiosis in Arabidopsis.

Crossovers (COs) are at the origin of genetic variability, occurring across successive generations, and they are also essential for the correct segregation of chromosomes during meiosis. Their number and position are precisely controlled, however the mechanisms underlying these controls are poorly understood. Neddylation/rubylation is a regulatory pathway of posttranslational protein modification that is required for numerous cellular processes in eukaryotes, but has not yet been linked to homologous recombination. In a screen for meiotic recombination-defective mutants, we identified several axr1 alleles, disrupting the gene encoding the E1 enzyme of the neddylation complex in Arabidopsis. Using genetic and cytological approaches we found that axr1 mutants are characterised by a shortage in bivalent formation correlated with strong synapsis defects. We determined that the bivalent shortage in axr1 is not due to a general decrease in CO formation but rather due to a mislocalisation of class I COs. In axr1, as in wild type, COs are still under the control of the ZMM group of proteins. However, in contrast to wild type, they tend to cluster together and no longer follow the obligatory CO rule. Lastly, we showed that this deregulation of CO localisation is likely to be mediated by the activity of a cullin 4 RING ligase, known to be involved in DNA damage sensing during somatic DNA repair and mouse spermatogenesis. In conclusion, we provide evidence that the neddylation/rubylation pathway of protein modification is a key regulator of meiotic recombination. We propose that rather than regulating the number of recombination events, this pathway regulates their localisation, through the activation of cullin 4 RING ligase complexes. Possible targets for these ligases are discussed.

During meiosis, two successive chromosomal divisions follow a single S phase, resulting in the formation of four haploid cells, each with half of the parental genetic material. This reduction in chromosome number occurs during the first meiotic division, when homologous chromosomes (paternal and maternal) are separated from each other. For this to happen, homologous chromosomes associate in structures called bivalents, where each chromosome is linked to its homologue by a point of contact known as chiasmata. These chiasmata reflect the formation of crossovers (COs), one of the manifestations of the exchange of genetic material occurring during homologous recombination. CO number varies little at around two per chromosome pair, and they tend to be evenly spaced on chromosomes. Thus, CO number and distribution are very tightly controlled. However, the mechanisms underlying these controls are very poorly understood. In this study, we identified a regulatory pathway of meiotic recombination. We show that this pathway does not regulate the amount of recombination events per se, but instead controls their localisation, as when it is defective, CO events cluster together in a few regions of the genome, leading to bivalent shortage and progeny aneuploidy with incorrect numbers of chromosomes. This regulatory pathway is a posttranslational protein modification system called neddylation (or rubylation in plants), known to be required for numerous cellular processes in eukaryotes. We identify an enzyme of the neddylation complex as a major regulator of meiotic recombination in Arabidopsis and show that this process may be also conserved in mammals.

A quality control mechanism coordinates meiotic prophase events to promote crossover assurance

Meiotic chromosome segregation relies on homologous chromosomes being linked by at least one crossover, the obligate crossover. Homolog pairing, synapsis and meiosis specific DNA repair mechanisms are required for crossovers but how they are coordinated to promote the obligate crossover is not well understood. PCH-2 is a highly conserved meiotic AAA+-ATPase that has been assigned a variety of functions; whether these functions reflect its conserved role has been difficult to determine. We show that PCH-2 restrains pairing, synapsis and recombination in C. elegans. Loss of pch-2 results in the acceleration of synapsis and homolog-dependent meiotic DNA repair, producing a subtle increase in meiotic defects, and suppresses pairing, synapsis and recombination defects in some mutant backgrounds. Some defects in pch-2 mutants can be suppressed by incubation at lower temperature and these defects increase in frequency in wildtype worms grown at higher temperature, suggesting that PCH-2 introduces a kinetic barrier to the formation of intermediates that support pairing, synapsis or crossover recombination. We hypothesize that this kinetic barrier contributes to quality control during meiotic prophase. Consistent with this possibility, defects in pch-2 mutants become more severe when another quality control mechanism, germline apoptosis, is abrogated or meiotic DNA repair is mildly disrupted. PCH-2 is expressed in germline nuclei immediately preceding the onset of stable homolog pairing and synapsis. Once chromosomes are synapsed, PCH-2 localizes to the SC and is removed in late pachytene, prior to SC disassembly, correlating with when homolog-dependent DNA repair mechanisms predominate in the germline. Indeed, loss of pch-2 results in premature loss of homolog access. Altogether, our data indicate that PCH-2 coordinates pairing, synapsis and recombination to promote crossover assurance. Specifically, we propose that the conserved function of PCH-2 is to destabilize pairing and/or recombination intermediates to slow their progression and ensure their fidelity during meiotic prophase.

The production of sperm and eggs for sexual reproduction depends on meiosis. During this specialized cell division, homologous chromosomes are linked by at least one crossover recombination event, or chiasma, to promote their proper segregation. How events in meiotic prophase are coordinated to contribute to crossover assurance is not well understood. Here, we show that C. elegans PCH-2 regulates a variety of events during meiotic prophase to promote crossover assurance. In the absence of pch-2, pairing, synapsis and recombination are accelerated, resulting in defects in synapsis and crossover formation. We propose that PCH-2 restrains the events of meiotic prophase to coordinate them, ensure their fidelity and guarantee that each homolog pair has at least one crossover to promote proper meiotic chromosome segregation.

Pch2 is a hexameric ring ATPase that remodels the chromosome axis protein Hop1

In budding yeast the pachytene checkpoint 2 (Pch2) protein regulates meiotic chromosome axis structure by maintaining the domain-like organization of the synaptonemal complex proteins homolog pairing 1 (Hop1) and molecular zipper 1 (Zip1). Pch2 has also been shown to modulate meiotic double-strand break repair outcomes to favor recombination between homologs, play an important role in the progression of meiotic recombination, and maintain ribosomal DNA stability. Pch2 homologs are present in fruit flies, worms, and mammals, however the molecular mechanism of Pch2 function is unknown. In this study we provide a unique and detailed biochemical analysis of Pch2. We find that purified Pch2 is an AAA+ (ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities) protein that oligomerizes into single hexameric rings in the presence of nucleotides. In addition, we show Pch2 binds to Hop1, a critical axial component of the synaptonemal complex that establishes interhomolog repair bias, in a nucleotide-dependent fashion. Importantly, we demonstrate that Pch2 displaces Hop1 from large DNA substrates and that both ATP binding and hydrolysis by Pch2 are required for Pch2-Hop1 transactions. Based on these and previous cell biological observations, we suggest that Pch2 impacts meiotic chromosome function by directly regulating Hop1 localization.

Central region component1, a novel synaptonemal complex component, is essential for meiotic recombination initiation in rice

In meiosis, homologous recombination entails programmed DNA double-strand break (DSB) formation and synaptonemal complex (SC) assembly coupled with the DSB repair. Although SCs display extensive structural conservation among species, their components identified are poorly conserved at the sequence level. Here, we identified a novel SC component, designated central region component1 (CRC1), in rice (Oryza sativa). CRC1 colocalizes with ZEP1, the rice SC transverse filament protein, to the central region of SCs in a mutually dependent fashion. Consistent with this colocalization, CRC1 interacts with ZEP1 in yeast two-hybrid assays. CRC1 is orthologous to Saccharomyces cerevisiae pachytene checkpoint2 (Pch2) and Mus musculus THYROID receptor-interacting protein13 (TRIP13) and may be a conserved SC component. Additionally, we provide evidence that CRC1 is essential for meiotic DSB formation. CRC1 interacts with homologous pairing aberration in rice meiosis1 (PAIR1) in vitro, suggesting that these proteins act as a complex to promote DSB formation. PAIR2, the rice ortholog of budding yeast homolog pairing1, is required for homologous chromosome pairing. We found that CRC1 is also essential for the recruitment of PAIR2 onto meiotic chromosomes. The roles of CRC1 identified here have not been reported for Pch2 or TRIP13.

Dot1-dependent histone H3K79 methylation promotes activation of the Mek1 meiotic checkpoint effector kinase by regulating the Hop1 adaptor

During meiosis, accurate chromosome segregation relies on the proper interaction between homologous chromosomes, including synapsis and recombination. The meiotic recombination checkpoint is a quality control mechanism that monitors those crucial events. In response to defects in synapsis and/or recombination, this checkpoint blocks or delays progression of meiosis, preventing the formation of aberrant gametes. Meiotic recombination occurs in the context of chromatin and histone modifications, which play crucial roles in the maintenance of genomic integrity. Here, we unveil the role of Dot1-dependent histone H3 methylation at lysine 79 (H3K79me) in this meiotic surveillance mechanism. We demonstrate that the meiotic checkpoint function of Dot1 relies on H3K79me because, like the dot1 deletion, H3-K79A or H3-K79R mutations suppress the checkpoint-imposed meiotic delay of a synapsis-defective zip1 mutant. Moreover, by genetically manipulating Dot1 catalytic activity, we find that the status of H3K79me modulates the meiotic checkpoint response. We also define the phosphorylation events involving activation of the meiotic checkpoint effector Mek1 kinase. Dot1 is required for Mek1 autophosphorylation, but not for its Mec1/Tel1-dependent phosphorylation. Dot1-dependent H3K79me also promotes Hop1 activation and its proper distribution along zip1 meiotic chromosomes, at least in part, by regulating Pch2 localization. Furthermore, HOP1 overexpression bypasses the Dot1 requirement for checkpoint activation. We propose that chromatin remodeling resulting from unrepaired meiotic DSBs and/or faulty interhomolog interactions allows Dot1-mediated H3K79-me to exclude Pch2 from the chromosomes, thus driving localization of Hop1 along chromosome axes and enabling Mek1 full activation to trigger downstream responses, such as meiotic arrest.

In sexually reproducing organisms, meiosis divides the number of chromosomes by half to generate gametes. Meiosis involves a series of interactions between maternal and paternal chromosomes leading to the exchange of genetic material by recombination. Completion of these processes is required for accurate distribution of chromosomes to the gametes. Meiotic cells possess quality-control mechanisms (checkpoints) to monitor those critical events. When failures occur, the checkpoint blocks meiotic progression to prevent the formation of aneuploid gametes. Genetic information is packaged into chromatin; histone modifications regulate multiple aspects of DNA metabolism to maintain genomic integrity. Dot1 is a conserved methyltransferase, responsible for histone H3 methylation at lysine 79, that is required for the meiotic recombination checkpoint. Here we decipher the molecular mechanism underlying Dot1 meiotic checkpoint function. We show that Dot1 catalytic activity correlates with the strength of the checkpoint response. By regulating Pch2 chromatin distribution, Dot1 controls localization of the chromosome axial component Hop1, which, in turn, contributes to activation of Mek1, the major effector kinase of the checkpoint. Our findings suggest that, in response to meiotic defects, the chromatin environment created by a constitutive histone mark orchestrates distribution of structural components of the chromosomes supporting activation of the meiotic checkpoint.

Genetic analysis of mlh3 mutations reveals interactions between crossover promoting factors during meiosis in baker's yeast

Crossing over between homologous chromosomes occurs during the prophase of meiosis I and is critical for chromosome segregation. In baker’s yeast, two heterodimeric complexes, Msh4-Msh5 and Mlh1-Mlh3, act in meiosis to promote interference-dependent crossing over. Mlh1-Mlh3 also plays a role in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) by interacting with Msh2-Msh3 to repair insertion and deletion mutations. Mlh3 contains an ATP-binding domain that is highly conserved among MLH proteins. To explore roles for Mlh3 in meiosis and MMR, we performed a structure−function analysis of eight mlh3 ATPase mutants. In contrast to previous work, our data suggest that ATP hydrolysis by both Mlh1 and Mlh3 is important for both meiotic and MMR functions. In meiotic assays, these mutants showed a roughly linear relationship between spore viability and genetic map distance. To further understand the relationship between crossing over and meiotic viability, we analyzed crossing over on four chromosomes of varying lengths in mlh3Δ mms4Δ strains and observed strong decreases (6- to 17-fold) in crossing over in all intervals. Curiously, mlh3Δ mms4Δ double mutants displayed spore viability levels that were greater than observed in mms4Δ strains that show modest defects in crossing over. The viability in double mutants also appeared greater than would be expected for strains that show such severe defects in crossing over. Together, these observations provide insights for how Mlh1-Mlh3 acts in crossover resolution and MMR and for how chromosome segregation in Meiosis I can occur in the absence of crossing over.

Germ cell apoptosis and DNA damage responses

In the past 12 years, since the first description of C. elegans germ cell apoptosis, this area of research rapidly expanded. It became evident that multiple genetic pathways lead to the apoptotic demise of germ cells. We are only beginning to understand how these pathways that all require the CED-9/Bcl-2, Apaf-1/CED-4 and CED-3 caspase core apoptosis components are regulated. Physiological apoptosis, which likely accounts for the elimination of more than 50% of all germ cells, even in unperturbed conditions, is likely to be required to maintain tissue homeostasis. The best-studied pathways lead to DNA damage-induced germ cell apoptosis in response to a variety of genotoxic stimuli. This apoptosis appears to be regulated similar to DNA damage-induced apoptosis in the mouse germ line and converges on p53 family transcription factors. DNA damage response pathways not only lead to apoptosis induction, but also directly affect DNA repair, and a transient cell cycle arrest of mitotic germ cells. Finally, distinct pathways activate germ cell apoptosis in response to defects in meiotic recombination and meiotic chromosome pairing.

Mek1 stabilizes Hop1-Thr318 phosphorylation to promote interhomolog recombination and checkpoint responses during yeast meiosis

Red1, Hop1 and Mek1 are three yeast meiosis-specific chromosomal proteins that uphold the interhomolog (IH) bias of meiotic recombination. Mek1 is also an effector protein kinase in a checkpoint that responds to aberrant DNA and/or axis structure. The activation of Mek1 requires Red1-dependent Hop1-Thr(T)318 phosphorylation, which is mediated by Mec1 and Tel1, the yeast homologs of the mammalian DNA damage sensor kinases ATR and ATM. As the ectopic expression of Mek1-glutathione S-transferase (GST) was shown to promote IH recombination in the absence of Mec1/Tel1-dependent checkpoint function, it was proposed that Mek1 might play dual roles during meiosis by directly phosphorylating targets that are involved in the recombination checkpoint. Here, we report that Mek1 has a positive feedback activity in the stabilization of Mec1/Tel1-mediated Hop1-T318 phosphorylation against the dephosphorylation mediated by protein phosphatase 4. Our results also reveal that GST-Mek1 or Mek1-GST further increases Hop1-T318 phosphorylation. This positive feedback function of Mek1 is independent of Mek1’s kinase activity, but dependent on Mek1’s forkhead-associated (FHA) domain and its arginine 51 residue. Arginine 51 directly mediates the interaction of Mek1-FHA and phosphorylated Hop1-T318. We suggest that the Hop1–Mek1 interaction is similar to the Rad53-Dun1 signaling pathway, which is mediated through the interaction of phosphorylated Rad53 and Dun1-FHA.

Budding yeast Pch2, a widely conserved meiotic protein, is involved in the initiation of meiotic recombination

Budding yeast Pch2 protein is a widely conserved meiosis-specific protein whose role is implicated in the control of formation and displacement of meiotic crossover events. In contrast to previous studies where the function of Pch2 was implicated in the steps after meiotic double-strand breaks (DSBs) are formed, we present evidence that Pch2 is involved in meiotic DSB formation, the initiation step of meiotic recombination. The reduction of DSB formation caused by the pch2 mutation is most prominent in the sae2 mutant background, whereas the impact remains mild in the rad51 dmc1 double mutant background. The DSB reduction is further pronounced when pch2 is combined with a hypomorphic allele of SPO11. Interestingly, the level of DSB reduction is highly variable between chromosomes, with minimal impact on small chromosomes VI and III. We propose a model in which Pch2 ensures efficient formation of meiotic DSBs which is necessary for igniting the subsequent meiotic checkpoint responses that lead to proper differentiation of meiotic recombinants.

The molecular control of meiotic chromosomal behavior: events in early meiotic prophase in Drosophila oocytes

We review the critical events in early meiotic prophase in Drosophila melanogaster oocytes. We focus on four aspects of this process: the formation of the synaptonemal complex (SC) and its role in maintaining homologous chromosome pairings, the critical roles of the meiosis-specific process of centromere clustering in the formation of a full-length SC, the mechanisms by which preprogrammed double-strand breaks initiate meiotic recombination, and the checkpoints that govern the progression and coordination of these processes. Central to this discussion are the roles that somatic pairing events play in establishing the necessary conditions for proper SC formation, the roles of centromere pairing in synapsis initiation, and the mechanisms by which oocytes detect failures in SC formation and/or recombination. Finally, we correlate what is known in Drosophila oocytes with our understanding of these processes in other systems.

Altered distribution of MLH1 foci is associated with changes in cohesins and chromosome axis compaction in an asynaptic mutant of tomato

In most multicellular eukaryotes, synapsis [synaptonemal complex (SC) formation] between pairs of homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis is closely linked with crossing over. Asynaptic mutants in plants have reduced synapsis and increased univalent frequency, often resulting in genetically unbalanced gametes and reduced fertility. Surprisingly, some asynaptic mutants (like as1 in tomato) have wild-type or increased levels of crossing over. To investigate, we examined SC spreads from as1/as1 microsporocytes using both light and electron microscopic immunolocalization. We observed increased numbers of MLH1 foci (a crossover marker) per unit length of SC in as1 mutants compared to wild-type. These changes are associated with reduced levels of detectable cohesin proteins in the axial and lateral elements (AE/LEs) of SCs, and the AE/LEs of as1 mutants are also significantly longer than those of wild-type or another asynaptic mutant. These results indicate that chromosome axis structure, synapsis, and crossover control are all closely linked in plants.

Pch2 acts through Xrs2 and Tel1/ATM to modulate interhomolog bias and checkpoint function during meiosis

Proper segregation of chromosomes during meiosis requires the formation and repair of double-strand breaks (DSBs) to form crossovers. Repair is biased toward using the homolog as a substrate rather than the sister chromatid. Pch2 is a conserved member of the AAA⁺-ATPase family of proteins and is implicated in a wide range of meiosis-specific processes including the recombination checkpoint, maturation of the chromosome axis, crossover control, and synapsis. We demonstrate a role for Pch2 in promoting and regulating interhomolog bias and the meiotic recombination checkpoint in response to unprocessed DSBs through the activation of axial proteins Hop1 and Mek1 in budding yeast. We show that Pch2 physically interacts with the putative BRCT repeats in the N-terminal region of Xrs2, a member of the MRX complex that acts at sites of unprocessed DSBs. Pch2, Xrs2, and the ATM ortholog Tel1 function in the same pathway leading to the phosphorylation of Hop1, independent of Rad17 and the ATR ortholog Mec1, which respond to the presence of single-stranded DNA. An N-terminal deletion of Xrs2 recapitulates the pch2Δ phenotypes for signaling unresected breaks. We propose that interaction with Xrs2 may enable Pch2 to remodel chromosome structure adjacent to the site of a DSB and thereby promote accessibility of Hop1 to the Tel1 kinase. In addition, Xrs2, like Pch2, is required for checkpoint-mediated delay conferred by the failure to synapse chromosomes.

Sexually reproductive organisms utilize meiosis to produce gametes (e.g. egg and sperm). During meiosis, chromosome numbers reduce to half (haploid) and fertilization restores their numbers to a diploid state so that ploidy can be maintained throughout generations. Meiosis involves two successive divisions (meiosis I and meiosis II) that follow a single round of DNA replication. In meiosis I homologous chromosomes segregate, whereas in meiosis II sister chromatids segregate. Failure to properly segregate chromosomes leads to the formation of aneuploid gametes, which are a leading cause of birth defects and pregnancy loss in humans. In most organisms, proper chromosome segregation in meiosis I requires meiotic recombination, where the repair of deliberately introduced double-strand breaks (DSBs) generates physical connections between homologous chromosomes. Importantly, DSBs must be repaired in a timely fashion and coordinated with the meiotic cycle by the recombination checkpoint. Here we investigated the role of Pch2, an AAA⁺-ATPase protein, in regulating chromosome events during meiotic prophase. We found Pch2 functions with Tel1 (homolog of ATM) and the MRX component Xrs2 to signal blunt-ended, unprocessed DSB intermediates of meiotic recombination. In addition, physical interaction between Pch2 and Xrs2 appears to play additional roles during meiosis, independent of Tel1 function.

New and old ways to control meiotic recombination

The unique segregation of homologs, rather than sister chromatids, at the first meiotic division requires the formation of crossovers (COs) between homologs by meiotic recombination in most species. Crossovers do not form at random along chromosomes. Rather, their formation is carefully controlled, both at the stage of formation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) that can initiate COs and during the repair of these DSBs. Here, we review control of DSB formation and two recently recognized controls of DSB repair: CO homeostasis and CO invariance. Crossover homeostasis maintains a constant number of COs per cell when the total number of DSBs in a cell is experimentally or stochastically reduced. Crossover invariance maintains a constant CO density (COs per kb of DNA) across much of the genome despite strong DSB hotspots in some intervals. These recently uncovered phenomena show that CO control is even more complex than previously suspected.

Exploiting spore-autonomous fluorescent protein expression to quantify meiotic chromosome behaviors in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has proven to be a rich source of information about the mechanisms and regulation of homologous recombination during meiosis. A common technique for studying this process involves microdissecting the four products (ascospores) of a single meiosis and analyzing the configuration of genetic markers in the spores that are viable. Although this type of analysis is powerful, it can be laborious and time-consuming to characterize the large numbers of meioses needed to generate statistically robust data sets. Moreover, the reliance on viable (euploid) spores has the potential to introduce selection bias, especially when analyzing mutants with elevated frequencies of meiotic chromosome missegregation. To overcome these limitations, we developed a versatile, portable set of reporter constructs that drive fluorescent protein expression specifically in only those spores that inherit the reporter. These spore-autonomous fluorescence constructs allow direct visualization of inheritance patterns in intact tetrads, eliminating the need for microdissection and permitting meiotic segregation patterns to be ascertained even in aneuploid spores. As proof of principle, we demonstrate how different arrangements of reporters can be used to quantify crossover frequency, crossover interference, gene conversion, crossover/noncrossover ratios, and chromosome missegregation.

Genetic interference: don't stand so close to me

Meiosis is a dynamic process during which chromosomes undergo condensation, pairing, crossing-over and disjunction. Stringent regulation of the distribution and quantity of meiotic crossovers is critical for proper chromosome segregation in many organisms. In humans, aberrant crossover placement and the failure to faithfully segregate meiotic chromosomes often results in severe genetic disorders such as Down syndrome and Edwards syndrome. In most sexually reproducing organisms, crossovers are more evenly spaced than would be expected from a random distribution. This phenomenon, termed interference, was first reported in the early 20^th century by Drosophila geneticists and has been subsequently observed in a vast range of organisms from yeasts to humans. Yet, many questions regarding the behavior and mechanism of interference remain poorly understood. In this review, we examine results new and old, from a wide range of organisms, to begin to understand the progress and remaining challenges to understanding the fundamental unanswered questions regarding genetic interference.

Pch2 modulates chromatid partner choice during meiotic double-strand break repair in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In most organisms, the segregation of chromosomes during the first meiotic division is dependent upon at least one crossover (CO) between each pair of homologous chromosomes. COs can result from chromosome double-strand breaks (DSBs) that are induced and preferentially repaired using the homologous chromosome as a template. The PCH2 gene of budding yeast is required to establish proper meiotic chromosome axis structure and to regulate meiotic interhomolog DSB repair outcomes. These roles appear conserved in the mouse ortholog of PCH2, Trip13, which is also involved in meiotic chromosome axis organization and the regulation of DSB repair. Using a combination of genetic and physical assays to monitor meiotic DSB repair, we present data consistent with pch2Δ mutants showing defects in suppressing intersister DSB repair. These defects appear most pronounced in dmc1Δ mutants, which are defective for interhomolog repair, and explain the previously reported observation that pch2Δ dmc1Δ cells can complete meiosis. Results from genetic epistasis analyses involving spo13Δ, rad54Δ, and mek1/MEK1 alleles and an intersister recombination reporter assay are also consistent with Pch2 acting to limit intersister repair. We propose a model in which Pch2 is required to promote full Mek1 activity and thereby promotes interhomolog repair.

Meiotic checkpoints and the interchromosomal effect on crossing over in Drosophila females

During prophase of meiosis I, genetic recombination is initiated with a Spo11-dependent DNA double-strand break (DSB). Repair of these DSBs can generate crossovers, which become chiasmata and are important for the process of chromosome segregation. To ensure at least one chiasma per homologous pair of chromosomes, the number and distribution of crossovers is regulated. One system contributing to the distribution of crossovers is the pachytene checkpoint, which requires the conserved gene pch2 that encodes an AAA+ATPase family member. Pch2-dependent pachytene checkpoint function causes delays in pachytene progression when there are defects in processes required for crossover formation, such as mutations in DSB-repair genes and when there are defects in the structure of the meiotic chromosome axis. Thus, the pachytene checkpoint appears to monitor events leading up to the generation of crossovers. Interestingly, heterozygous chromosome rearrangements cause Pch2-dependent pachytene delays and as little as two breaks in the continuity of the paired chromosome axes are sufficient to evoke checkpoint activity. These chromosome rearrangements also cause an interchromosomal effect on recombination whereby crossing over is suppressed between the affected chromosomes but is increased between the normal chromosome pairs. We have shown that this phenomenon is also due to pachytene checkpoint activity.

Sustained and rapid chromosome movements are critical for chromosome pairing and meiotic progression in budding yeast

Telomere-led chromosome movements are a conserved feature of meiosis I (MI) prophase. Several roles have been proposed for such chromosome motion, including promoting homolog pairing and removing inappropriate chromosomal interactions. Here, we provide evidence in budding yeast that rapid chromosome movements affect homolog pairing and recombination. We found that csm4Δ strains, which are defective for telomere-led chromosome movements, show defects in homolog pairing as measured in a "one-dot/two-dot tetR-GFP" assay; however, pairing in csm4Δ eventually reaches near wild-type (WT) levels. Charged-to-alanine scanning mutagenesis of CSM4 yielded one allele, csm4-3, that confers a csm4Δ-like delay in meiotic prophase but promotes high spore viability. The meiotic delay in csm4-3 strains is essential for spore viability because a null mutation (rad17Δ) in the Rad17 checkpoint protein suppresses the delay but confers a severe spore viability defect. csm4-3 mutants show a general defect in chromosome motion but an intermediate defect in chromosome pairing. Chromosome velocity analysis in live cells showed that while average chromosome velocity was strongly reduced in csm4-3, chromosomes in this mutant displayed occasional rapid movements. Lastly, we observed that spo11 mutants displaying lower levels of meiosis-induced double-strand breaks showed higher spore viability in the presence of the csm4-3 mutation compared to csm4Δ. On the basis of these observations, we propose that during meiotic prophase the presence of occasional fast moving chromosomes over an extended period of time is sufficient to promote WT levels of recombination and high spore viability; however, sustained and rapid chromosome movements are required to prevent a checkpoint response and promote efficient meiotic progression.

The choice in meiosis – defining the factors that influence crossover or non-crossover formation

Meiotic crossovers are essential for ensuring correct chromosome segregation as well as for creating new combinations of alleles for natural selection to take place. During meiosis, excess meiotic double-strand breaks (DSBs) are generated; a subset of these breaks are repaired to form crossovers, whereas the remainder are repaired as non-crossovers. What determines where meiotic DSBs are created and whether a crossover or non-crossover will be formed at any particular DSB remains largely unclear. Nevertheless, several recent papers have revealed important insights into the factors that control the decision between crossover and non-crossover formation in meiosis, including DNA elements that determine the positioning of meiotic DSBs, and the generation and processing of recombination intermediates. In this review, we focus on the factors that influence DSB positioning, the proteins required for the formation of recombination intermediates and how the processing of these structures generates either a crossover or non-crossover in various organisms. A discussion of crossover interference, assurance and homeostasis, which influence crossing over on a chromosome-wide and genome-wide scale – in addition to current models for the generation of interference – is also included. This Commentary aims to highlight recent advances in our understanding of the factors that promote or prevent meiotic crossing over.

Mek1 kinase governs outcomes of meiotic recombination and the checkpoint response

BACKGROUND

Homologous recombination promotes proper segregation of chromosomes during meiosis. Programmed double-strand breaks (DSBs) initiate recombination and are repaired preferentially using the homolog rather than the sister chromatid template. In yeast, activation of Mek1 kinase upholds this bias. Mek1 is also a proposed effector kinase in the recombination checkpoint that responds to aberrant DNA and/or axis structures. Elucidating a role for Mek1 in this checkpoint has been difficult, because a mek1 null mutation causes rapid repair of DSBs using a sister chromatid, thus bypassing formation of checkpoint-activating lesions. Here we analyzed a MEK1 gain-of-function allele to test if it would enhance interhomolog bias and/or the checkpoint response.

RESULTS

When Mek1 activation was artificially maintained through glutathione S-transferase-mediated dimerization, there was an enhanced skew toward interhomolog recombination and reduction of intersister events, including multichromatid joint molecules. Increased interhomolog events were specifically repaired as noncrossovers rather than as crossovers. Ectopic Mek1 dimerization was also sufficient to impose interhomolog bias in the absence of recombination checkpoint functions, thereby uncoupling these two processes. Finally, the stringency of the checkpoint response was enhanced in mutants with weak recombination defects by blocking prophase exit in a subset of cells in which arrest is not absolute.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that Mek1 plays dual roles during meiotic prophase I by phosphorylating targets directly involved in the recombination checkpoint, as well as targets involved in sister chromatid recombination. We discuss how regulation of pachytene exit by Mek1 or similar kinases could influence checkpoint stringency, which may differ among species and between sexes.

Meiosis: making a break for it

The perpetuation of most eukaryotic species requires differentiation of pluripotent progenitors into egg and sperm and subsequent fusion of these gametes to form a new zygote. Meiosis is a distinguishing feature of gamete formation as it leads to the twofold reduction in chromosome number thereby maintaining ploidy across generations. This process increases offspring diversity through the random segregation of chromosomes and the exchange of genetic material between homologous parental chromosomes, known as meiotic crossover recombination. These exchanges require the establishment of unique and dynamic chromatin configurations that facilitate cohesion, homolog pairing, synapsis, double strand break formation and repair. The precise orchestration of these events is critical for gamete survival as demonstrated by the majority of human aneuploidies that can be traced to defects in the first meiotic division (Hassold T, Hall H, Hunt P: The origin of human aneuploidy: where we have been, where we are going. Hum Mol Genet 2007, 16 Spec No. 2:R203-R208.). This review will focus on recent advances in our understanding of key meiotic events and how coordination of these events is occurring.

Genetic analysis of baker's yeast Msh4-Msh5 reveals a threshold crossover level for meiotic viability

During meiosis, the Msh4-Msh5 complex is thought to stabilize single-end invasion intermediates that form during early stages of recombination and subsequently bind to Holliday junctions to facilitate crossover formation. To analyze Msh4-Msh5 function, we mutagenized 57 residues in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Msh4 and Msh5 that are either conserved across all Msh4/5 family members or are specific to Msh4 and Msh5. The Msh5 subunit appeared more sensitive to mutagenesis. We identified msh4 and msh5 threshold (msh4/5-t) mutants that showed wild-type spore viability and crossover interference but displayed, compared to wild-type, up to a two-fold decrease in crossing over on large and medium sized chromosomes (XV, VII, VIII). Crossing over on a small chromosome, however, approached wild-type levels. The msh4/5-t mutants also displayed synaptonemal complex assembly defects. A triple mutant containing a msh4/5-t allele and mutations that decreased meiotic double-strand break levels (spo11-HA) and crossover interference (pch2Δ) showed synergistic defects in spore viability. Together these results indicate that the baker's yeast meiotic cell does not require the ∼90 crossovers maintained by crossover homeostasis to form viable spores. They also show that Pch2-mediated crossover interference is important to maintain meiotic viability when crossovers become limiting.