MEI4, IHO1, HORMAD1, SYCP3, CTCF, PRDM9 ChIP, DMC1-SSDS 2023
Meiotic chromosomes are organized as loop-axis arrays and provide a spatial context for meiotic recombination.  In mammals, it is unclear how this organization coordinates with components of the meiotic DNA double strand break (DSB) machinery. Here we provide direct evidence that DSB formation and repair take place in the context of axis.  MEI4 and IHO1, two essential components of the DSB machinery, and HORMAD1 and SYCP3, two axis components, are recruited to recombination sites before DSB formation and IHO1, HORMAD1 and SYCP3 are associated at processed DSB ends.  IHO1, HORMAD1 and SYCP3 also bind CTCF sites and functional elements, which we define as additional preferential axis sites. CTCF- and recombination sites are in physical proximity, providing a molecular link between recombination sites and loop-axis organisation.