The synaptonemal complex protein, Zip1, promotes the segregation of nonexchange chromosomes at meiosis I.
Crossing over establishes connections between homologous chromosomes that promote their proper segregation at the first meiotic division. However, there exists a backup system to ensure the correct segregation of those chromosome pairs that fail to cross over. We have found that, in budding yeast, a mutation eliminating the synaptonemal complex protein, Zip1, increases the meiosis I nondisjunction rate of nonexchange chromosomes (NECs). The centromeres of NECs become tethered during meiotic prophase, and this tethering is disrupted by the zip1 mutation. Furthermore, the Zip1 protein often colocalizes to the centromeres of the tethered chromosomes, suggesting that Zip1 plays a direct role in holding NECs together. Zip3, a protein involved in the initiation of synaptonemal complex formation, is also important for NEC segregation. In the absence of Zip3, both the tethering of NECs and the localization of Zip1 to centromeres are impaired. A mutation in the MAD3 gene, which encodes a component of the spindle checkpoint, also increases the nondisjunction of NECs. Together, the zip1 and mad3 mutations have an additive effect, suggesting that these proteins act in parallel pathways to promote NEC segregation. We propose that Mad3 promotes the segregation of NECs that are not tethered by Zip1 at their centromeres.
Newnham
Louise
L
Medical Research Council Genome Damage and Stability Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RQ, United Kingdom.
Jordan
Philip
P
Rockmill
Beth
B
Roeder
G Shirleen
GS
Hoffmann
Eva
E
D000705:Anaphase / Q000502:physiology; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002503:Centromere / Q000235:genetics; D015825:Chromosomes, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D003434:Crossing Over, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics; D008540:Meiosis; D008677:Metaphase / Q000502:physiology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D013573:Synaptonemal Complex / Q000235:genetics; D013692:Telophase / Q000502:physiology
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004271:DNA, Fungal; C406764:MAD3 protein, S cerevisiae; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; C090118:Zip1 protein, S cerevisiae