Synaptonemal complex formation and meiotic checkpoint signaling are linked to the lateral element protein Red1.
Meiosis generates four haploid daughters from a diploid parental cell. Central steps of meiosis are the pairing and recombination of homologous chromosomes followed by their segregation in two rounds of cell division. Meiotic recombination is monitored by a specialized DNA damage checkpoint pathway and is guided by a unique chromosomal structure called synaptonemal complex (SC), but how these events are coordinated is unclear. Here, we identify the SC protein Red1 as a crucial regulator of early meiosis. Red1 interacts with two subunits of the 9-1-1 checkpoint complex via two distinct 9-1-1 subunit-specific motifs. Association of 9-1-1 with Red1 is essential not only for meiotic checkpoint activation but for SC formation. Moreover, Red1 becomes SUMO-modified, which fosters interaction of Red1 with the central SC element Zip1, thereby securing timely SC formation. Thus, Red1, in addition to its structural role in the SC, is a crucial coordinator of meiosis by coupling checkpoint signaling to SC formation.
Eichinger
Christian S
CS
Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
Jentsch
Stefan
S
D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D006720:Homozygote; D008540:Meiosis; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D011485:Protein Binding; D025842:SUMO-1 Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000378:metabolism; D013573:Synaptonemal Complex / Q000378:metabolism*; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques
D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; C086673:RED1 protein, S cerevisiae; D025842:SUMO-1 Protein; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins