Spo11-accessory proteins link double-strand break sites to the chromosome axis in early meiotic recombination

Meiotic recombination between homologous chromosomes initiates via programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), generated by complexes comprising Spo11 transesterase plus accessory proteins. DSBs arise concomitantly with the development of axial chromosome structures, where the coalescence of axis sites produces linear arrays of chromatin loops. Recombining DNA sequences map to loops, but are ultimately tethered to the underlying axis. How and when such tethering occurs is currently unclear. Using ChIPchip in yeast, we show that Spo11-accessory proteins Rec114, Mer2, and Mei4 stably interact with chromosome axis sequences, upon phosphorylation of Mer2 by S phase Cdk. This axis tethering requires meiotic axis components (Red1/Hop1) and is modulated in?a domain-specific fashion by cohesin. Loss of Rec114, Mer2, and Mei4 binding correlates with loss of DSBs. Our results strongly suggest that hotspot sequences become tethered to axis sites by the DSB machinery prior to DSB formation.     

DNA motif associated with meiotic double-strand break regions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Meiotic recombination in yeast is initiated by DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) that occur at preferred sites, distributed along the chromosomes. These DSB sites undergo changes in chromatin structure early in meiosis, but their common features at the level of DNA sequence have not been defined until now. Alignment of 1 kb sequences flanking six well-mapped DSBs has allowed us to define a flexible sequence motif, the CoHR profile, which predicts the great majority of meiotic DSB locations. The 50 bp profile contains a poly(A) tract in its centre and may have several gaps of unrelated sequences over a total length of up to 250 bp. The major exceptions to the correlation between CoHRs and preferred DSB sites are at telomeric regions, where DSBs do not occur. The CoHR sequence may provide the basis for understanding meiosis-induced chromatin changes that enable DSBs to occur at defined chromosomal sites.     

Double-strand breaks on artificial chromosomes in yeast

Yeast artificial chromosomes composed primarily of bacteriophage λ DNA exhibit very low levels of meiotic crossing over compared with similarly sized intervals of natural yeast DNA. When these recombinationally quiet chromosomes were augmented with a 12.5 kb insert of sequences from yeast chromosome VIII, genetic studies demonstrated that the artificial chromosomes had acquired recombination properties characteristic of this region of chromosome VIII. On authentic yeast chromosomes, most meiotic recombination events are initiated at sites where the DNA is cleaved to create a double-strand break (DSB). This report describes physical analyses that were carried out to examine the relationship between DSB sites and the recombination behavior of the artificial chromosomes. The results show that DSBs are rare on these artificial chromosomes, except for the 12.5 kb insert. Mapping of the DSB sites shows that their positions correlate with the previously determined positions of DSB sites on chromosome VIII. Deletion of two characterized chromosome VIII DSB sites from the 12.5 kb insert on the artificial chromosome resulted in the loss of the predicted DSB fragments and a reduction in crossing over between artificial chromosomes. Received: 15 May 1998; in revised form: 26 September 1999 / Accepted: 18 November 1999     

The recombinases DMC1 and RAD51 are functionally and spatially separated during meiosis in Arabidopsis

Meiosis ensures the reduction of the genome before the formation of generative cells and promotes the exchange of genetic information between homologous chromosomes by recombination. Essential for these events are programmed DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) providing single-stranded DNA overhangs after their processing. These overhangs, together with the RADiation sensitive51 (RAD51) and DMC1 Disrupted Meiotic cDNA1 (DMC1) recombinases, mediate the search for homologous sequences. Current models propose that the two ends flanking a meiotic DSB have different fates during DNA repair, but the molecular details remained elusive. Here we present evidence, obtained in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, that the two recombinases, RAD51 and DMC1, localize to opposite sides of a meiotic DSB. We further demonstrate that the ATR kinase is involved in regulating DMC1 deposition at meiotic DSB sites, and that its elimination allows DMC1-mediated meiotic DSB repair even in the absence of RAD51. DMC1's ability to promote interhomolog DSB repair is not a property of the protein itself but the consequence of an ASYNAPTIC1 (Hop1)-mediated impediment for intersister repair. Taken together, these results demonstrate that DMC1 functions independently and spatially separated from RAD51 during meiosis and that ATR is an integral part of the regular meiotic program.     

Direct and Indirect Control of the Initiation of Meiotic Recombination by DNA Damage Checkpoint Mechanisms in Budding Yeast

Meiotic recombination plays an essential role in the proper segregation of chromosomes at meiosis I in many sexually reproducing organisms. Meiotic recombination is initiated by the scheduled formation of genome-wide DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). The timing of DSB formation is strictly controlled because unscheduled DSB formation is detrimental to genome integrity. Here, we investigated the role of DNA damage checkpoint mechanisms in the control of meiotic DSB formation using budding yeast. By using recombination defective mutants in which meiotic DSBs are not repaired, the effect of DNA damage checkpoint mutations on DSB formation was evaluated. The Tel1 (ATM) pathway mainly responds to unresected DSB ends, thus the sae2 mutant background in which DSB ends remain intact was employed. On the other hand, the Mec1 (ATR) pathway is primarily used when DSB ends are resected, thus the rad51 dmc1 double mutant background was employed in which highly resected DSBs accumulate. In order to separate the effect caused by unscheduled cell cycle progression, which is often associated with DNA damage checkpoint defects, we also employed the ndt80 mutation which permanently arrests the meiotic cell cycle at prophase I. In the absence of Tel1, DSB formation was reduced in larger chromosomes (IV, VII, II and XI) whereas no significant reduction was found in smaller chromosomes (III and VI). On the other hand, the absence of Rad17 (a critical component of the ATR pathway) lead to an increase in DSB formation (chromosomes VII and II were tested). We propose that, within prophase I, the Tel1 pathway facilitates DSB formation, especially in bigger chromosomes, while the Mec1 pathway negatively regulates DSB formation. We also identified prophase I exit, which is under the control of the DNA damage checkpoint machinery, to be a critical event associated with down-regulating meiotic DSB formation.     

Meiotic Recombination Initiation in and around Retrotransposable Elements in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Meiotic recombination is initiated by large numbers of developmentally programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), ranging from dozens to hundreds per cell depending on the organism. DSBs formed in single-copy sequences provoke recombination between allelic positions on homologous chromosomes, but DSBs can also form in and near repetitive elements such as retrotransposons. When they do, they create a risk for deleterious genome rearrangements in the germ line via recombination between non-allelic repeats. A prior study in budding yeast demonstrated that insertion of a Ty retrotransposon into a DSB hotspot can suppress meiotic break formation, but properties of Ty elements in their most common physiological contexts have not been addressed. Here we compile a comprehensive, high resolution map of all Ty elements in the rapidly and efficiently sporulating S. cerevisiae strain SK1 and examine DSB formation in and near these endogenous retrotransposable elements. SK1 has 30 Tys, all but one distinct from the 50 Tys in S288C, the source strain for the yeast reference genome. From whole-genome DSB maps and direct molecular assays, we find that DSB levels and chromatin structure within and near Tys vary widely between different elements and that local DSB suppression is not a universal feature of Ty presence. Surprisingly, deletion of two Ty elements weakened adjacent DSB hotspots, revealing that at least some Ty insertions promote rather than suppress nearby DSB formation. Given high strain-to-strain variability in Ty location and the high aggregate burden of Ty-proximal DSBs, we propose that meiotic recombination is an important component of host-Ty interactions and that Tys play critical roles in genome instability and evolution in both inbred and outcrossed sexual cycles.     

A central coupler for recombination initiation linking chromosome architecture to s phase checkpoint

Higher-order chromosome structure is assumed to control various DNA-templated reactions in eukaryotes. Meiotic chromosomes implement developed structures called "axes" and "loops"; both are suggested to tether each other, activating Spo11 to catalyze meiotic DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) at recombination hotspots. We found that the Schizosaccharomyces pombe Spo11 homolog Rec12 and its partners form two distinct subcomplexes, DSBC (Rec6-Rec12-Rec14) and SFT (Rec7-Rec15-Rec24). Mde2, whose expression is strictly regulated by the replication checkpoint, interacts with Rec15 to stabilize the SFT subcomplex and further binds Rec14 in DSBC. Rec10 provides a docking platform for SFT binding to axes and can partially interact with DSB sites located in loops depending upon Mde2, which is indicative of the formation of multiprotein-based tethered axis-loop complex. These data lead us to propose a mechanism by which Mde2 functions as a recombination initiation mediator to tether axes and loops, in liaison with the meiotic replication checkpoint.     

Budding yeast Pch2, a widely conserved meiotic protein, is involved in the initiation of meiotic recombination

Budding yeast Pch2 protein is a widely conserved meiosis-specific protein whose role is implicated in the control of formation and displacement of meiotic crossover events. In contrast to previous studies where the function of Pch2 was implicated in the steps after meiotic double-strand breaks (DSBs) are formed, we present evidence that Pch2 is involved in meiotic DSB formation, the initiation step of meiotic recombination. The reduction of DSB formation caused by the pch2 mutation is most prominent in the sae2 mutant background, whereas the impact remains mild in the rad51 dmc1 double mutant background. The DSB reduction is further pronounced when pch2 is combined with a hypomorphic allele of SPO11. Interestingly, the level of DSB reduction is highly variable between chromosomes, with minimal impact on small chromosomes VI and III. We propose a model in which Pch2 ensures efficient formation of meiotic DSBs which is necessary for igniting the subsequent meiotic checkpoint responses that lead to proper differentiation of meiotic recombinants.     

Patterns of meiotic double-strand breakage on native and artificial yeast chromosomes

The preferred positions for meiotic double-strand breakage were mapped on Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosomes I and VI, and on a number of yeast artificial chromosomes carrying human DNA inserts. Each chromosome had strong and weak double-strand break (DSB) sites. On average one DSB-prone region was detected by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis per 25 kb of DNA, but each chromosome had a unique distribution of DSB sites. There were no preferred meiotic DSB sites near the telomeres. DSB-prone regions were associated with all of the known ”hot spots” for meiotic recombination on chromosomes I, III and VI. Received: 19 March 1996; in revised form: 26 July 1996 / Accepted: 18 August 1996     

Mapping of meiotic single-stranded DNA reveals double-stranded-break hotspots near centromeres and telomeres

BACKGROUND: Every chromosome requires at least one crossover to be faithfully segregated during meiosis. At least two levels of regulation govern crossover distribution: where the initiating DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) occur and whether those DSBs are repaired as crossovers. RESULTS: We mapped meiotic DSBs in budding yeast by identifying sites of DSB-associated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) accumulation. These analyses revealed substantial DSB activity in pericentrometric regions, in which crossover formation is largely absent. Our data suggest that centromeric suppression of recombination occurs at the level of break repair rather than DSB formation. Additionally, we found an enrichment of DSBs within a approximately 100 kb region near the ends of all chromosomes. Introduction of new telomeres was sufficient for inducing large ectopic regions of increased DSB formation, thereby revealing a remarkable long-range effect of telomeres on DSB formation. The concentration of DSBs close to chromosome ends increases the relative DSB density on small chromosomes, providing an interference-independent mechanism that ensures that all chromosomes receive at least one crossover per homolog pair. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our results indicate that selective DSB repair accounts for crossover suppression near centromeres and suggest a simple telomere-guided mechanism that ensures sufficient DSB activity on all chromosomes.     

Most meiotic CAG repeat tract-length alterations in yeast are<Emphasis Type="Italic"> SPO11</Emphasis> dependent

The expansion of trinucleotide repeat sequences associated with hereditary neurological diseases is believed from earlier studies to be due to errors in DNA replication. However, more recent studies have indicated that recombination may play a significant role in triplet repeat expansion. CAG repeat tracts have been shown to induce double-strand breaks (DSBs) during meiosis in yeast, and DSB formation is dependent on the meiotic recombination machinery. The rate of meiotic instability is several fold higher than mitotic instability. To determine whether DSB repair is responsible for the high rate of repeat tract-length alterations, the frequencies of meiotic repeat-tract instability were compared in wild-type and spo11 mutant strains. In the spo11 background, the rate of meiotic repeat-tract instability remained at the mitotic level, suggesting that meiotic alterations of CAG repeat tracts in yeast occur by the recombination mechanism. Several of these meiotic tract-length alterations are due to DSB repair involving use of the sister chromatid as a template.     

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mer2, Mei4 and Rec114 form a complex required for meiotic double-strand break formation

In budding yeast, at least 10 proteins are required for formation of the double-strand breaks (DSBs) that initiate meiotic recombination. Spo11 is the enzyme responsible for cleaving DNA and is found in a complex that also contains Ski8, Rec102, and Rec104. The Mre11/Rad50/Xrs2 complex is required for both DSB formation and DSB processing. In this article we investigate the functions of the remaining three proteins--Mer2, Mei4, and Rec114--with particular emphasis on Mer2. The Mer2 protein is present in vegetative cells, but it increases in abundance and becomes phosphorylated specifically during meiotic prophase. Mer2 localizes to distinct foci on meiotic chromosomes, with foci maximally abundant prior to the formation of synaptonemal complex. If DSB formation is blocked (e.g., by a spo11 mutation), dephosphorylation of Mer2 and its dissociation from chromosomes are delayed. We have also found that the Mei4 and Rec114 proteins localize to foci on chromosomes and these foci partially colocalize with each other and with Mer2. Furthermore, the three proteins co-immunoprecipitate. Mer2 does not show significant colocalization with Mre11 or Rec102 and Mer2 does not co-immunoprecipitate with Rec102. We propose that Mer2, Mei4, and Rec114 form a distinct complex required for DSB formation.     

Interactions between Mei4, Rec114, and other proteins required for meiotic DNA double-strand break formation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis>

In most sexually reproducing organisms, meiotic recombination is initiated by DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) formed by the Spo11 protein. In budding yeast, nine other proteins are also required for DSB formation, but the roles of these proteins and the interactions among them are poorly understood. We report further studies of the behaviors of these proteins. Consistent with other studies, we find that Mei4 and Rec114 bind to chromosomes from leptonema through early pachynema. Both proteins showed only limited colocalization with the meiotic cohesin subunit Rec8, suggesting that Mei4 and Rec114 associated preferentially with chromatin loops. Rec114 localization was independent of other DSB factors, but Mei4 localization was strongly dependent on Rec114 and Mer2. Systematic deletion analysis identified protein regions important for a previously described two-hybrid interaction between Mei4 and Rec114. We also report functional characterization of a previously misannotated 5′ coding exon of REC102. Sequences encoded in this exon are essential for DSB formation and for Rec102 interaction with Rec104, Spo11, Rec114, and Mei4. Finally, we also examined genetic requirements for a set of previously described two-hybrid interactions that can be detected only when the reporter strain is induced to enter meiosis. This analysis reveals new functional dependencies for interactions among the DSB proteins. Taken together, these studies support the view that Mei4, Rec114, and Mer2 make up a functional subgroup that is distinct from other subgroups of the DSB proteins: Spo11–Ski8, Rec102–Rec104, and Mre11–Rad50–Xrs2. These studies also suggest that an essential function of Rec102 and Rec104 is to connect Mei4 and Rec114 to Spo11. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Telomere and centromere DNA are associated with the cores of meiotic prophase chromosomes

Mouse (Mus musculus) whole-mount, surface-spread, meiotic prophase chromosomes have an axial which extend chromatin loops. This arrangement permits a novel approach to the analysis of chromosome structure. Using in situ hybridization, the types of DNA sequences preferentially associated with the SC and the types located primarily in the chromatin loops can be determined. With biotinylated probes, detected by avidin conjugated to FITC, we present evidence for differential chromatin-SC interaction. The telomere sequence (TTAGGG)_n is associated exclusively with the two ends of each autosomal SC rather than with the chromatin loops. The minor satellite DNA sequences are predominantly localized to the centromeric region of the SC, as defined by CREST serum anti-centromere antibodies. In contrast, the major satellite DNA probe hybridizes to the chromatin loops of the centromeric heterochromatin, and a probe containing a LINE sequence hybridizes to chromatin loops in general with no obvious preference for the SC. These observations demonstrate that, depending on the type of DNA sequence, the chromatin has different properties in regard to its association with the SC.D.P. Bazett-Jones     

Differential distribution and association of repeat DNA sequences in the lateral element of the synaptonemal complex in rat spermatocytes

The synaptonemal complex (SC) is an evolutionarily conserved structure that mediates synapsis of homologous chromosomes during meiotic prophase I. Previous studies have established that the chromatin of homologous chromosomes is organized in loops that are attached to the lateral elements (LEs) of the SC. The characterization of the genomic sequences associated with LEs of the SC represents an important step toward understanding meiotic chromosome organization and function. To isolate these genomic sequences, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation assays in rat spermatocytes using an antibody against SYCP3, a major structural component of the LEs of the SC. Our results demonstrated the reproducible and exclusive isolation of repeat deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences, in particular long interspersed elements, short interspersed elements, long terminal direct repeats, satellite, and simple repeats. The association of these repeat sequences to the LEs of the SC was confirmed by in situ hybridization of meiotic nuclei shown by both light and electron microscopy. Signals were also detected over the chromatin surrounding SCs and in small loops protruding from the lateral elements into the SC central region. We propose that genomic repeat DNA sequences play a key role in anchoring the chromosome to the protein scaffold of the SC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Structure and organization of rhodophyte and chromophyte plastid genomes: implications for the ancestry of plastids

Summary Recombinational repair is the means by which DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are repaired in yeast. DNA divergence between chromosomes was shown previously to inhibit repair in diploid G1 cells, resulting in chromosome loss at low nonlethal doses of ionizing radiation. Furthermore, 15–20% divergence prevents meiotic recombination between individual pairs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. carlsbergensis chromosomes in an otherwise S. cerevisiae background. Based on analysis of the efficiency of DSB-induced chromosome loss and direct genetic detection of intragenic recombination, we conclude that limited DSB recombinational repair can occur between homoeologous chromosomes. There is no difference in loss between a repair-proficient Pms⁺ strain and a mismatch repair mutant, pms1. Since DSB recombinational repair is tolerant of diverged DNAs, this type of repair could lead to novel genes and altered chromosomes. The sensitivity to DSB-induced loss of 11 individual yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) containing mouse or human (chromosome 21 or HeLa) DNA was determined. Recombinational repair between a pair of homologous HeLa YACs appears as efficient as that between homologous yeast chromosomes in that there is no loss at low radiation doses. Single YACs exhibited considerable variation in response, although the response for individual YACs was highly reproducible. Based on the results with the yeast homoeologous chromosomes, we propose that the potential exists for intra- YAC recombinational repair between diverged repeat DNA and that the extent of repair is dependent upon the amount of repeat DNA and the degree of divergence. The sensitivity of YACs containing mammalian DNA to ionizing radiation-induced loss may thus be an indicator of the extent of repeat DNA.     

Regulation of Msh4-Msh5 association with meiotic chromosomes in budding yeast

In the baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, most of the meiotic crossovers are generated through a pathway involving the highly conserved mismatch repair related Msh4-Msh5 complex. To understand the role of Msh4-Msh5 in meiotic crossing over, we determined its genome wide in vivo binding sites in meiotic cells. We show that Msh5 specifically associates with DSB hotspots, chromosome axes, and centromeres on chromosomes. A basal level of Msh5 association with these chromosomal features is observed even in the absence of DSB formation (spo11Δ mutant) at the early stages of meiosis. But efficient binding to DSB hotspots and chromosome axes requires DSB formation and resection and is enhanced by double Holliday junction structures. Msh5 binding is also correlated to DSB frequency and enhanced on small chromosomes with higher DSB and crossover density. The axis protein Red1 is required for Msh5 association with the chromosome axes and DSB hotspots but not centromeres. Although binding sites of Msh5 and other pro-crossover factors like Zip3 show extensive overlap, Msh5 associates with centromeres independent of Zip3. These results on Msh5 localization in wild type and meiotic mutants have implications for how Msh4-Msh5 works with other pro-crossover factors to ensure crossover formation.     

Rec8 Guides Canonical Spo11 Distribution along Yeast Meiotic Chromosomes

Spo11-mediated DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) that initiate meiotic recombination are temporally and spatially controlled. The meiotic cohesin Rec8 has been implicated in regulating DSB formation, but little is known about the features of their interplay. To elucidate this point, we investigated the genome-wide localization of Spo11 in budding yeast during early meiosis by chromatin immunoprecipitation using high-density tiling arrays. We found that Spo11 is dynamically localized to meiotic chromosomes. Spo11 initially accumulated around centromeres and thereafter localized to arm regions as premeiotic S phase proceeded. During this stage, a substantial proportion of Spo11 bound to Rec8 binding sites. Eventually, some of Spo11 further bound to both DSB and Rec8 sites. We also showed that such a change in a distribution of Spo11 is affected by hydroxyurea treatment. Interestingly, deletion of REC8 influences the localization of Spo11 to centromeres and in some of the intervals of the chromosomal arms. Thus, we observed a lack of DSB formation in a region-specific manner. These observations suggest that Rec8 would prearrange the distribution of Spo11 along chromosomes and will provide clues to understanding temporal and spatial regulation of DSB formation.     

Pch2 modulates chromatid partner choice during meiotic double-strand break repair in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In most organisms, the segregation of chromosomes during the first meiotic division is dependent upon at least one crossover (CO) between each pair of homologous chromosomes. COs can result from chromosome double-strand breaks (DSBs) that are induced and preferentially repaired using the homologous chromosome as a template. The PCH2 gene of budding yeast is required to establish proper meiotic chromosome axis structure and to regulate meiotic interhomolog DSB repair outcomes. These roles appear conserved in the mouse ortholog of PCH2, Trip13, which is also involved in meiotic chromosome axis organization and the regulation of DSB repair. Using a combination of genetic and physical assays to monitor meiotic DSB repair, we present data consistent with pch2Δ mutants showing defects in suppressing intersister DSB repair. These defects appear most pronounced in dmc1Δ mutants, which are defective for interhomolog repair, and explain the previously reported observation that pch2Δ dmc1Δ cells can complete meiosis. Results from genetic epistasis analyses involving spo13Δ, rad54Δ, and mek1/MEK1 alleles and an intersister recombination reporter assay are also consistent with Pch2 acting to limit intersister repair. We propose a model in which Pch2 is required to promote full Mek1 activity and thereby promotes interhomolog repair.