The synaptonemal complex protein SCP3 can form multistranded, cross-striated fibers in vivo.
The synaptonemal complex protein SCP3 is part of the lateral element of the synaptonemal complex, a meiosis-specific protein structure essential for synapsis of homologous chromosomes. We have investigated the fiber-forming properties of SCP3 to elucidate its role in the synaptonemal complex. By synthesis of SCP3 in cultured somatic cells, it has been shown that SCP3 can self-assemble into thick fibers and that this process requires the COOH-terminal coiled coil domain of SCP3, as well as the NH2-terminal nonhelical domain. We have further analyzed the thick SCP3 fibers by transmission electron microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy. We found that the fibers display a transversal striation with a periodicity of approximately 20 nm and consist of a large number of closely associated, thin fibers, 5-10 nm in diameter. These features suggest that the SCP3 fibers are structurally related to intermediate filaments. It is known that in some species the lateral elements of the synaptonemal complex show a highly ordered striated structure resembling that of the SCP3 fibers. We propose that SCP3 fibers constitute the core of the lateral elements of the synaptonemal complex and function as a molecular framework to which other proteins attach, regulating DNA binding to the chromatid axis, sister chromatid cohesion, synapsis, and recombination.
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB), The Medical Nobel Institute, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
L
L
Yuan
J
J
Pelttari
E
E
Brundell
B
B
Björkroth
J
J
Zhao
J G
JG
Liu
H
H
Brismar
B
B
Daneholt
C
C
Höög
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006224:Cricetinae; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D007739:L Cells; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008540:Meiosis; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D051381:Rats; D013573:Synaptonemal Complex / Q000502:physiology*; D014162:Transfection
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C489754:Sycp1 protein, mouse; C078744:Sycp1 protein, rat; C490062:Sycp3 protein, mouse; C085453:Sycp3 protein, rat