title: Covariation of synaptonemal complex length and mammalian meiotic exchange rates.
abstract: Analysis of recombination between loci (linkage analysis) has been a cornerstone of human genetic research, enabling investigators to localize and, ultimately, identify genetic loci. However, despite these efforts little is known about patterns of meiotic exchange in human germ cells or the mechanisms that control these patterns. Using recently developed immunofluorescence methodology to examine exchanges in human spermatocytes, we have identified remarkable variation in the rate of recombination within and among individuals. Subsequent analyses indicate that, in humans and mice, this variation is linked to differences in the length of the synaptonemal complex. Thus, at least in mammals, a physical structure, the synaptonemal complex, reflects genetic rather than physical distance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lynn
authors.forename: Kara E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Koehler
authors.forename: LuAnn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Judis
authors.forename: Ernest R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Jonathan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cherry
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Allen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seftel
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Terry J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Hassold
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003434:Crossing Over, Genetic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008875:Middle Aged; D000070957:MutL Protein Homolog 1; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013573:Synaptonemal Complex / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C501486:MLH1 protein, human; C501485:Mlh1 protein, mouse; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D000070957:MutL Protein Homolog 1