biostudies-literatureSchalbetter SAEuropean Research CouncilMedical Research CouncilWellcome TrustBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council4795https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6805904biostudies-literatureUnknown10(1)During meiotic prophase, chromosomes organise into a series of chromatin loops emanating from a proteinaceous axis, but the mechanisms of assembly remain unclear. Here we use Saccharomyces cerevisiae to explore how this elaborate three-dimensional chromosome organisation is linked to genomic sequence. As cells enter meiosis, we observe that strong cohesin-dependent grid-like Hi-C interaction patterns emerge, reminiscent of mammalian interphase organisation, but with distinct regulation. Meiotic patterns agree with simulations of loop extrusion with growth limited by barriers, in which a heterogeneous population of expanding loops develop along the chromosome. Importantly, CTCF, the factor that imposes similar features in mammalian interphase, is absent in S. cerevisiae, suggesting alternatNature communicationsPrinciples of meiotic chromosome assembly revealed in S. cerevisiae.PMC6805904311336BB/M010279/1BB/J018554/1G0800005200843/Z/16/ZBB/S001425/1Baxter JFudenberg GPollard KSNeale MJSchalbetter SAfalsePrinciples of meiotic chromosome assembly revealed in S. cerevisiae.During meiotic prophase, chromosomes organise into a series of chromatin loops emanating from a proteinaceous axis, but the mechanisms of assembly remain unclear. Here we use Saccharomyces cerevisiae to explore how this elaborate three-dimensional chromosome organisation is linked to genomic sequence. As cells enter meiosis, we observe that strong cohesin-dependent grid-like Hi-C interaction patterns emerge, reminiscent of mammalian interphase organisation, but with distinct regulation. Meiotic patterns agree with simulations of loop extrusion with growth limited by barriers, in which a heterogeneous population of expanding loops develop along the chromosome. Importantly, CTCF, the factor that imposes similar features in mammalian interphase, is absent in S. cerevisiae, suggesting alternat2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Oct2026-05-07T03:48:53.148Z2019-11-05T08:10:00ZS-EPMC68059043164112110.1038/s41467-019-12629-0