Synapsis-dependent and -independent mechanisms stabilize homolog pairing during meiotic prophase in C. elegans.

ABSTRACT: Analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans syp-1 mutants reveals that both synapsis-dependent and -independent mechanisms contribute to stable, productive alignment of homologous chromosomes during meiotic prophase. Early prophase nuclei undergo normal reorganization in syp-1 mutants, and chromosomes initially pair. However, the polarized nuclear organization characteristic of early prophase persists for a prolonged period, and homologs dissociate prematurely; furthermore, the synaptonemal complex (SC) is absent. The predicted structure of SYP-1, its localization at the interface between intimately paired, lengthwise-aligned pachytene homologs, and its kinetics of localization with chromosomes indicate that SYP-1 is an SC structural component. A severe reduction in crossing over together with evid

SUBMITTER: MacQueen AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC187442 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature