1
|
Hernández Sánchez-Rebato M, Schubert V, White CI. Meiotic double-strand break repair DNA synthesis tracts in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011197. [PMID: 39012914 PMCID: PMC11280534 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
We report here the successful labelling of meiotic prophase I DNA synthesis in the flowering plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. Incorporation of the thymidine analogue, EdU, enables visualisation of the footprints of recombinational repair of programmed meiotic DNA double-strand breaks (DSB), with ~400 discrete, SPO11-dependent, EdU-labelled chromosomal foci clearly visible at pachytene and later stages of meiosis. This number equates well with previous estimations of 200-300 DNA double-strand breaks per meiosis in Arabidopsis, confirming the power of this approach to detect the repair of most or all SPO11-dependent meiotic DSB repair events. The chromosomal distribution of these DNA-synthesis foci accords with that of early recombination markers and MLH1, which marks Class I crossover sites. Approximately 10 inter-homologue cross-overs (CO) have been shown to occur in each Arabidopsis male meiosis and, athough very probably under-estimated, an equivalent number of inter-homologue gene conversions (GC) have been described. Thus, at least 90% of meiotic recombination events, and very probably more, have not previously been accessible for analysis. Visual examination of the patterns of the foci on the synapsed pachytene chromosomes corresponds well with expectations from the different mechanisms of meiotic recombination and notably, no evidence for long Break-Induced Replication DNA synthesis tracts was found. Labelling of meiotic prophase I, SPO11-dependent DNA synthesis holds great promise for further understanding of the molecular mechanisms of meiotic recombination, at the heart of reproduction and evolution of eukaryotes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Hernández Sánchez-Rebato
- Institut de Génétique, Reproduction et Développement, CNRS UMR 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Veit Schubert
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) Gatersleben, Seeland, Germany
| | - Charles I. White
- Institut de Génétique, Reproduction et Développement, CNRS UMR 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chowdary KVSKA, Saini R, Singh AK. Epigenetic regulation during meiosis and crossover. PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 29:1945-1958. [PMID: 38222277 PMCID: PMC10784443 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-023-01390-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Meiosis is a distinctive type of cell division that reorganizes genetic material between generations. The initial stages of meiosis consist of several crucial steps which include double strand break, homologous chromosome pairing, break repair and crossover. Crossover frequency varies depending on the position on the chromosome, higher at euchromatin region and rare at heterochromatin, centromeres, telomeres and ribosomal DNA. Crossover positioning is dependent on various factors, especially epigenetic modifications. DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, histone variants and non-coding RNAs are most probably playing an important role in positioning of crossovers on a chromosomal level as well as hotspot level. DNA methylation negatively regulates crossover frequency and its effect is visible in centromeres, pericentromeres and heterochromatin regions. Pericentromeric chromatin and heterochromatin mark studies have been a centre of attraction in meiosis. Crossover hotspots are associated with euchromatin regions having specific chromatin modifications such as H3K4me3, H2A.Z. and H3 acetylation. This review will provide the current understanding of the epigenetic role in plants during meiotic recombination, chromosome synapsis, double strand break and hotspots with special attention to euchromatin and heterochromatin marks. Further, the role of epigenetic modifications in regulating meiosis and crossover in other organisms is also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K. V. S. K. Arjun Chowdary
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021 India
| | - Ramswaroop Saini
- Department of Biotechnology, Joy University, Vadakangulam, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu 627116 India
| | - Amit Kumar Singh
- Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021 India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kim H, Choi K. Fast and Precise: How to Measure Meiotic Crossovers in Arabidopsis. Mol Cells 2022; 45:273-283. [PMID: 35444069 PMCID: PMC9095510 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2022.2054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
During meiosis, homologous chromosomes (homologs) pair and undergo genetic recombination via assembly and disassembly of the synaptonemal complex. Meiotic recombination is initiated by excess formation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), among which a subset are repaired by reciprocal genetic exchange, called crossovers (COs). COs generate genetic variations across generations, profoundly affecting genetic diversity and breeding. At least one CO between homologs is essential for the first meiotic chromosome segregation, but generally only one and fewer than three inter-homolog COs occur in plants. CO frequency and distribution are biased along chromosomes, suppressed in centromeres, and controlled by pro-CO, anti-CO, and epigenetic factors. Accurate and high-throughput detection of COs is important for our understanding of CO formation and chromosome behavior. Here, we review advanced approaches that enable precise measurement of the location, frequency, and genomic landscapes of COs in plants, with a focus on Arabidopsis thaliana.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heejin Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Korea
| | - Kyuha Choi
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Prusicki MA, Balboni M, Sofroni K, Hamamura Y, Schnittger A. Caught in the Act: Live-Cell Imaging of Plant Meiosis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:718346. [PMID: 34992616 PMCID: PMC8724559 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.718346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Live-cell imaging is a powerful method to obtain insights into cellular processes, particularly with respect to their dynamics. This is especially true for meiosis, where chromosomes and other cellular components such as the cytoskeleton follow an elaborate choreography over a relatively short period of time. Making these dynamics visible expands understanding of the regulation of meiosis and its underlying molecular forces. However, the analysis of meiosis by live-cell imaging is challenging; specifically in plants, a temporally resolved understanding of chromosome segregation and recombination events is lacking. Recent advances in live-cell imaging now allow the analysis of meiotic events in plants in real time. These new microscopy methods rely on the generation of reporter lines for meiotic regulators and on the establishment of ex vivo culture and imaging conditions, which stabilize the specimen and keep it alive for several hours or even days. In this review, we combine an overview of the technical aspects of live-cell imaging in plants with a summary of outstanding questions that can now be addressed to promote live-cell imaging in Arabidopsis and other plant species and stimulate ideas on the topics that can be addressed in the context of plant meiotic recombination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Arp Schnittger
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute for Plant Science and Microbiology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vrielynck N, Schneider K, Rodriguez M, Sims J, Chambon A, Hurel A, De Muyt A, Ronceret A, Krsicka O, Mézard C, Schlögelhofer P, Grelon M. Conservation and divergence of meiotic DNA double strand break forming mechanisms in Arabidopsis thaliana. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:9821-9835. [PMID: 34458909 PMCID: PMC8464057 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current meiotic recombination initiation model, the SPO11 catalytic subunits associate with MTOPVIB to form a Topoisomerase VI-like complex that generates DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). Four additional proteins, PRD1/AtMEI1, PRD2/AtMEI4, PRD3/AtMER2 and the plant specific DFO are required for meiotic DSB formation. Here we show that (i) MTOPVIB and PRD1 provide the link between the catalytic sub-complex and the other DSB proteins, (ii) PRD3/AtMER2, while localized to the axis, does not assemble a canonical pre-DSB complex but establishes a direct link between the DSB-forming and resection machineries, (iii) DFO controls MTOPVIB foci formation and is part of a divergent RMM-like complex including PHS1/AtREC114 and PRD2/AtMEI4 but not PRD3/AtMER2, (iv) PHS1/AtREC114 is absolutely unnecessary for DSB formation despite having a conserved position within the DSB protein network and (v) MTOPVIB and PRD2/AtMEI4 interact directly with chromosome axis proteins to anchor the meiotic DSB machinery to the axis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Vrielynck
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000 Versailles, France
| | - Katja Schneider
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marion Rodriguez
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000 Versailles, France
| | - Jason Sims
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Aurélie Chambon
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000 Versailles, France
| | - Aurélie Hurel
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000 Versailles, France
| | - Arnaud De Muyt
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000 Versailles, France
| | - Arnaud Ronceret
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000 Versailles, France
| | - Ondrej Krsicka
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Mézard
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000 Versailles, France
| | - Peter Schlögelhofer
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathilde Grelon
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000 Versailles, France
| |
Collapse
|