Cyclin-dependent kinase promotes formation of the synaptonemal complex in yeast meiosis.
Cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs) are required for various cell cycle events both in mitosis and in meiosis. During the meiotic prophase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, only one CDK, Cdc28, which forms a complex with B-type cyclins, Clb5 or Clb6, promotes not only the onset of premeiotic DNA replication but also the formation of meiotic double-strand breaks (DSBs). In this study, we showed that Cdc28 exhibits punctate staining on chromosomes during meiotic prophase I. Chromosomal localization of Cdc28, dependent on Clb5 and/or Clb6, is frequently observed in zygotene and pachytene, when formation of the synaptonemal complex (SC) occurs. Interestingly, the CDK localization is independent of DSB formation, but rather dependent on meiosis-specific chromosome components such as Red1, Hop1 and a cohesin subunit Rec8. Compromised CDK activity in meiotic prophase leads to defective SC formation without affecting DSB formation. These results suggest that CDK-dependent phosphorylation regulates meiotic chromosome morphogenesis.
Zhu
Zhihui
Z
Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Mori
Saori
S
Oshiumi
Hiroyuki
H
Matsuzaki
Kenichiro
K
Shinohara
Miki
M
Shinohara
Akira
A
D017489:CDC28 Protein Kinase, S cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015825:Chromosomes, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019926:Cyclin B / Q000378:metabolism; D008540:Meiosis / Q000502:physiology*; D049469:Meiotic Prophase I / Q000502:physiology; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013573:Synaptonemal Complex / Q000378:metabolism*
C076558:CLB5 protein, S cerevisiae; C095227:CLB6 protein, S cerevisiae; D019926:Cyclin B; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D017489:CDC28 Protein Kinase, S cerevisiae