[Meiotic recombination hotspots in eukaryotes].
Meiotic recombination may occur more frequently in some regions of the eukaryotic genome. These regions are referred to as meiotic recombination hotspot loci. Genetic studies in the yeast have revealed that these hotspots contain special sites for recombination initiation and result in heterogeneous distribution of recombination (along the chromosome length or across the genome). However, the data for recombination hotspot is so far limited to organisms such as fungi, maize and human. In the present paper, we listed several typical approaches to characterizing recombination hotspots in different organisms, summarizing current progress in mapping of the meiotic recombination hotspots and discussing the factors and mechanisms for activation of eukaryotic meiotic recombination. Some unresolved questions and future prospects were also discussed.
Gao
Ling
L
School of Life Sciences ,Northwest Sci-Tech University of Agriculture and Forestry, Shanxi Yangling, 712100, China. linglinggao@hotmail.com
Mu
Xiao-Qian
XQ
Lin
Yu
Y
Li
Yong-Guan
YG
Cheng
Zhu-Kuan
ZK
D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000235:genetics; D053903:DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded; D005658:Fungi / Q000235:genetics*; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D008540:Meiosis / Q000235:genetics*; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics