The role of the DNA double-strand break response network in meiosis.
Organisms with sexual reproduction have two homologous copies of each chromosome. Meiosis is characterized by two successive cell divisions that result in four haploid sperms or eggs, each carrying a single copy of homologous chromosome. This process requires a coordinated reorganization of chromatin and a complex network of meiotic-specific signaling cascades. At the beginning of meiosis, each chromosome must recognize its homolog, then the two become intimately aligned along their entire lengths which allows the exchange of DNA strands between homologous sequences to generate genetic diversity. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) initiate meiotic recombination in a variety of organisms. Numerous studies have identified both the genomic loci of the initiating DSBs and the proteins involved in their formation. This review will summarize the activation and signaling networks required for the DSB response in meiosis.
Richardson
Christine
C
College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Horikoshi
Nobuo
N
Pandita
Tej K
TK
D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair; D045643:DNA Repair Enzymes; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004843:Epistasis, Genetic; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D000076228:MRE11 Homologue Protein; D008540:Meiosis; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D028044:Phosphate-Binding Proteins; D051135:Rad51 Recombinase; D051721:Rad52 DNA Repair and Recombination Protein; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013997:Time Factors
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002843:Chromatin; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C513032:Dmc1 protein, mouse; C468783:H2AX protein, human; D006657:Histones; C121766:MRE11 protein, human; C512689:Mre11a protein, mouse; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D028044:Phosphate-Binding Proteins; C497194:RAD52 protein, human; D051721:Rad52 DNA Repair and Recombination Protein; C497196:Rad52 protein, mouse; C495153:RAD51 protein, human; D051135:Rad51 Recombinase; C495154:Rad51 protein, mouse; D000076228:MRE11 Homologue Protein; C074556:DMC1 protein, human; D045643:DNA Repair Enzymes