The synaptonemal complex stabilizes meiosis in allotetraploid Brassica napus and autotetraploid Arabidopsis thaliana.

ABSTRACT: Polyploidy plays a key role in genome evolution and crop improvement. The formation of bivalents rather than multivalents during meiosis of polyploids is essential to ensure meiotic stability and optimal fertility of the species. However, the mechanisms preventing multivalent recombination in polyploids remain obscure. We studied the role of the synaptonemal complex in polyploid meiosis by mutating the transverse filament component ZYP1 in allotetraploid Brassica napus and autotetraploid Arabidopsis. In B. napus, a mutation of all four ZYP1 copies results in multivalent pairing accompanied by pairing partner switches, nonhomologous recombination, and interlocks, leading to severe chromosome entanglement and fertility abortion. The presence of only one functional allele of ZYP1 compromises

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11923410 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature