Defective pairing and synaptonemal complex formation in a Sordaria mutant (spo44) with a translocated segment of the nucleolar organizer

The recessive meiotic mutant spo44 of Sordaria macrospora, with 90% ascospore abortion, exhibits striking effects on recombination (67% decrease), irregular segregation of the almost unpaired homologues, and a decrease in chiasma frequency in the few cases where bivalents are formed. Three-dimensional reconstructions of ten prophase nuclei indicate that pairing, as judged by the absence of fully formed synaptonemal complexes (SC), is not achieved although lateral elements (LE) assemble. The pairing failure is attributable to defects in the alignment of homologous chromosomes. The leptotene alignment seen in the wild type before SC formation was not observed in the spo44 nuclei. Dense material, considered to be precursor of SC central elements, was found scattered among the LE in two nuclei. The behaviour of spo44 substantiates the hypothesis that chromosome matching and SC formation are separable events. — The total length of the LE in the mutant is the same as in the wild type, but due to variable numbers and length of the individual LE, homologues cannot be lined up. Light microscopic observations indicate that the irregular length and number of LE is due to extensive chromosome breakage. The wild-type function corresponding to spo44 is required for both LE integrity and chromosome matching. Reconstructions of heterozygous nuclei reveal the presence of a supernumerary nucleolar organizer in one arm of chromosome 7. It is suggested that rDNA has been inserted into a gene whose function is involved in pairing or into a controlling sequence that interacts with the pairing process.     

Synaptonemal complex formation in pollen mother cells of Tradescantia

Seven nuclei of Tradescantia sp. (2n=12) were prepared using Gillies' modification of the Counce-Meyer whole-mount spreading technique. These nuclei were examined for the type (homologous and nonhomologous), amount, and location of synaptonemal complex (SC) formation. Estimates of the total potential number of discrete initiations of SC formation ranged from 251–299 per nucleus. The average distance between sites of initiation ranged from 7.3 to 11.2 m in the different nuclei. Two groups of Tradescantia were used. Of the T. ohiensis var. paludosa plants, the one instance of irregularity in synapsis was associated with a pairing partner switchpoint. In the other plants derived from Mericle's Clone 02, all nuclei, even those in early zygotene, had several examples of foldback synapsis. The significance of the location of SC formation, and the occurrence of foldback synapsis is considered and a model of SC formation is proposed. In this model, a recognition of homology step is not considered necessary for SC formation; homologous synapsis is usually accomplished by spatial and temporal coordination of zygotene DNA synthesis.     

Colchicine action at meiotic prophase revealed by SC-spreading

In the present paper earlier findings on the interference of colchicine with presynaptic alignment and synaptonemal complex formation in Allium ursinum are corroborated and several other direct or indirect consequences of colchicine treatment, like deformations and decomposition of lateral elements and a high incidence of non-homologous associations are reported. Mechanisms of meiotic alignment and pairing are discussed with respect to their susceptibility to the known cytological and biochemical activities of colchicine.     

Meiotic chromosome synapsis in a haploid yeast

An extensive synaptonemal complex (SC) is found at pachytene in whole mount spread preparations of a haploid yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain. Whereas unsynapsed axial elements are present only in a few nuclei, in others non-homologous synapsis involves virtually the whole chromosome set. This suggests that homology is not an indispensable precondition for SC formation in yeast but that chromosomes engage in non-homologous synapsis if no homologous partner is available. Recent evidence that in the sporulation deficient yeast mutants rad50 and mer1 axial elements do form but remain unsynapsed in the majority of nuclei is discussed in the light of the above findings.by D. Schweizer     

Synapsis,desynapsis, and formation of polycomplex-like aggregates in male meiosis of Pales ferruginea (diptera,tipulidae)

Meiotic prophase in Pales ferruginea spermatocytes was studied by means of 3D electron microscopical reconstruction. Chromosomes in early prophase nuclei from freshly hatched IVth instar larvae were found to be partially synapsed at several sites along the genome. The synaptic regions are distributed more or less homogeneously throughout the nucleus, i.e., they are not preferentially located. The average lengths of the synaptic regions (length of synaptonemal complex fragments, SC) were 0.62, 0.73, 0.86, and 1.0 m in four different nuclei. Unpaired axial cores were not observed, neither in nuclei with partially synapsed chromosomes nor in nuclei devoid of SC fragments. — Chromosomes in diplotene nuclei from 7–8 days old IVth instar larvae were also found to be partially synapsed, revealing SC fragments with average lengths of 1.6 and 1.95 m in two nuclei analysed. The longest SC fragments observed in diplotene were 3–6.5 m. Diplotene SCs show signs of disintegration. Unpaired axial cores do not occur. The number and the average length of SC fragments decreases towards early diakinesis. During this stage the formation of polycomplex-like aggregates (PC) begins. In later diakinesis each nucleus contains one (occasionally two) PC, while SC fragments are absent. — The observations were interpreted as follows: 1. Due to the absence of unpaired cores early prophase in Pales is difficult to relate to the typical stages of lepto- and zygotene as observed in other organisms. Synapsis seems to begin at many sites along the chromosomes. Since zipper-like alignment of cores does not occur, the entire SC structure evidently becomes assembled de novo during synapsis. 2. During desynapsis in diplotene the SCs seem to become gradually distintegrated into molecular subunits up to diakinesis. 3. The integration of SC material into PCs in diakinesis may be understood as a crystallization process from a pool of molecular subunits.     

Intranuclear fibrillar material in cereal pollen mother cells

Ultrastructural studies of cereal anthers found intranuclear bundles of microfilaments in pollen mother cells (PMCs) but not elsewhere. The ultrastructure, distribution, and behaviour of this fibrillar material (FM) are described. FM was seen in all 19 genotypes studied comprising Aegilops, Triticum, Secale, Hordeum and Avena species, which together included haploid, diploid and allo-and autopolyploid, and natural and synthetic polyploid examples. Detailed studies in diploid S. cereale, and hexaploid T. aestivum and Triticale showed that FM was present in PMC nuclei during premeiotic interphase, leptotene and zygotene but not at pachytene and later meiotic stages. Moreover, it was most abundant at late premeiotic interphase in T. aestivum, and at leptotene in S. cereale and Triticale, when it occurred in up to 100% of sampled PMC nuclei in an anther. Although FM and synaptonemal complex (SC) occurred together in some PMC nuclei at later stages, FM was present long before SC, and reached its peak of abundance before SC did. Bundles of FM often formed links at their ends between either two masses of chromatin, or more rarely, between chromatin and the nuclear membrane. Individual bundles of FM varied in length but showed roughly similar ranges of lengths and widths in these three species. They were up to about 0.2 m in diameter and about 3 m in length, equivalent to about 20% of the maximum diameter of the nuclei containing them. Reconstructions of PMC nuclei indicated that FM was never associated with centromeres but was sometimes, and perhaps usually, associated with telomeric or sub-telomeric chromosome segments.The function of FM is unknown but its possible role is discussed in relation to (1) previously described intranuclear inclusions in meiocytes and (2) the cytogenetics and developmental behaviour of meiotic nuclei in the wheat comparium. As FM was a constant and characteristic structural component of PMC nuclei, its presence is probably of functional significance to the meiotic process. If so, it may function before, and over greater distances, than SC in establishing or maintaining the coorientation of chromosomes prerequisite for normal chromosome pairing. As FM was most abundant at stages when major chromosome movements occur, yet its distribution was non-centromeric, it is suggested that it may function in the attachment and movement of telomeres at the nuclear membrane formed after premeiotic mitosis. The possibility that a bundle of FM normally links corresponding sites on two homologues is considered.     

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Allium ursinum: Impact of Temperature and Pressure on the Extracts Chemical Profile

The aim of this study was to extract Allium ursinum L. for the first time by supercritical carbon dioxide (SC−CO₂) as green sustainable method. The impact of temperature in the range from 40 to 60 °C and pressure between 150 and 400 bar on the quality of the obtained extracts and efficiency of the extraction was investigated. The highest extraction yield (3.43 %) was achieved by applying the extraction conditions of 400 bar and 60 °C. The analysis of the extracts was performed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The most dominant sulfur-containing constituent of the extracts was allyl methyl trisulfide with the highest abundance at 350 bar and 50 °C. In addition, the presence of other pharmacologically potent sulfur compounds was recorded including S-methyl methanethiosulfinate, diallyl trisulfide, S-methyl methylthiosulfonate, and dimethyl trisulfide. Multivariate data analysis tool was utilized to investigate distributions of the identified compounds among the extracts obtained under various extraction conditions and yields. It was determined that the SC−CO₂ extraction can by efficiently used for A. ursinum.     

Expression and functional analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">TaASY1</Emphasis> during meiosis of bread wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis>)

Background  

Pairing and synapsis of homologous chromosomes is required for normal chromosome segregation and the exchange of genetic material via recombination during meiosis. Synapsis is complete at pachytene following the formation of a tri-partite proteinaceous structure known as the synaptonemal complex (SC). In yeast, HOP1 is essential for formation of the SC, and localises along chromosome axes during prophase I. Homologues in Arabidopsis (AtASY1), Brassica (BoASY1) and rice (OsPAIR2) have been isolated through analysis of mutants that display decreased fertility due to severely reduced synapsis of homologous chromosomes. Analysis of these genes has indicated that they play a similar role to HOP1 in pairing and formation of the SC through localisation to axial/lateral elements of the SC.     

Formation of cytoplasmic synaptonemal-like polycomplexes at leptotene and normal synaptonemal complexes at zygotene in Ascaris suum male meiosis

A thread-like (more than 70 cm long) testis of Ascaris suum, when examined under the light and electron microscope, reveals the linear succession of meiotic stages. Beginning from, at least, late leptotene, the spermatocytes are synchronous in their development. Thus within each transverse section of the testis all the spermatocytes are in the same stage. The spermatocytes at each stage of prophase I occupies several (4 to 10) cm of the whole testis length. — At leptotene, synaptonemal-like polycomplexes of lateral and central stacked elements are formed in the cytoplasm of spermatocytes. At late leptotene, the polycomplexes are attached to the external nuclear membrane. The polycomplexes disappear at zygotene. Slightly discernable axial cores are observed in the late leptotene chromosomes. The synaptonemal complexes (SCs) are formed at the zygotene stage, their structure being characteristically tripartite. The SCs disappear from the nuclei at the diffuse stage of prophase I. In other organisms completely developed polycomplexes of stacked lateral and central elements were never found during the presynaptic period of meiosis, although single or two parallel layers of aggregated central regions of SC were found in Neottiella meiocytes at the stage prior to chromosome pairing (Westergaard and von Wettstein, 1970, 1972). — First appearance of the polycomplexes in the cytoplasm insetead of the nucleus is also a novel fact. It is concluded that the polycomplexes at leptotene are formed by a self-assembly of the SC molecular material precociously synthesized in the cytoplasm. Two hypotheses regarding possible function and the further fate for leptotene polycomplexes are discussed.     

Synaptonemal complex spreading in Allium cepa and A. fistulosum

The general features and fine structure of homologous chromosome alignment and pairing have been investigated in two species of Allium (A. fistulosum and A. cepa), which have similar karyotypes but very different patterns of chiasma distribution. Although there is no support for the occurrence of a general pre-meiotic alignment of homologous chromosomes, both species show some alignment of homologues as an immediate prelude to synaptonemal complex (SC) formation. In both species pairing usually commences at sub-terminal sites and is succeeded by numerous separate intercalary initiations of pairing in interstitial and distal regions and then in proximal regions. The last parts to pair, in both species, are pericentromeric and telomeric regions. There is, therefore, no evident relationship between the sequence of pairing and chiasma distribution in these species. Regularly alternating convergences and divergences of aligned axial cores (ACs), termed multiple association sites, are frequently observed. It is proposed that these represent potential pairing initiation sites and from observations on their spatial distribution it is argued that they may be evenly distributed through most of the genome. Small spherical or ellipsoid nodules are found at association sites and between closely aligned ACs which persist in the SC segments present during zygotene, but most of them disappear abruptly at the end of zygotene. These are termed zygotene nodules (ZN) and it is proposed that they are involved in matching corresponding sites on homologous chromosomes as well as possibly having a recombinational role. Their composition, structure, mode of action and relationship to pachytene recombination nodules are at present unknown.     

The synaptonemal complexes of Caenorhabditis elegans: pachytene karyotype analysis of male and hermaphrodite wild-type and him mutants

Only five synaptonemal complexes (SC), representing the 5 autosomes, are present in wild-type, him-4 and him-8, Caenorhabditis elegans males, whereas there are six SCs, accounting for 5 autosomal bivalents and the XX bivalent, in the C. elegans hermaphrodite. The univalent X chromosome of the male is present as a heterochromatic X-body in spermatocyte pachytene nuclei. The XX bivalent in wild-type, him-4 and him-8 hermaphrodites (SC1, 2.5 m in length) represented 6% of the total karyotype length and a SC of this size is missing from the respective male karyotypes. This corresponds with the fact that the total male karyotype length is only approximately 94% that of the hermaphrodite. Associated with the central element of the SC are structures termed SC knobs that were first described in the wild-type hermaphrodite. The six SC knobs present in the wild-type hermaphrodite oocyte pachytene nuclei and the two SC knobs in the male spermatocyte pachytene nuclei are apparently randomly placed with the exception that they are never found at the ends of the SC. This is also true in him-4 and him-8 in which case there are 3 and zero SC knobs in the hermaphrodites, respectively, and one SC knob each in the male pachytene nuclei. The decrease in number of SC knobs in hermaphrodite to male represents a true sex difference. The presence or absence of the SC knobs may influence the X chromosome nondisjunction process and this effect is not localized to the region of the SC on which the SC knob is located.     

Localization of the synaptonemal complex under the light microscope

The use of osmium tetroxide fixation followed by postreatment with p-phenylenediamine gives an opportunity of locating the synaptonemal complex (SC) under the light microscope in mouse testes and Allium cepa anthers. When semi-thin sections from these materials were observed under phase contrast optics or dark field microscopy, fine threads in the pachytene nuclei were clearly visible. Post-staining of semi-thin sections with ammoniacal silver increased the contrast of the SC and allowed for observations using a bright field illumination. Ultrathin sections of osmium tetroxide/ p-phenylenediamine treated material showed that, under the electron microscope, this technique stains preferentially elements of the synaptonemal complex, while the surrounding chromatin remains unstained.     

The Ph1 and Ph2 loci play different roles in the synaptic behaviour of hexaploid wheat Triticum aestivum

Triticum aestivum is an allohexaploid wheat (AABBDD) that shows diploid-like behaviour at metaphase-I. This behaviour is influenced by the action of several loci, Ph1 and Ph2 being the main loci involved. To study the effect of these two loci on chromosome pairing in T. aestivum we have analysed the synaptic pattern in fully traced spread nuclei at mid- and late-zygotene, and at pachytene, of three different genotypes of cv Chinese Spring: standard line, ph1b and ph2b mutants. The analysis of the synaptic progression showed that only a few nuclei accomplish synapsis in the ph2b genotype, whereas most nuclei completed synapsis in the standard and ph1b genotypes. This result indicates that the Ph2 locus affects synaptic progression. The number of synaptonemal complex (SC) bivalents and of the different SC multivalent associations were determined in each nucleus. The mean number of lateral elements involved in SC multivalent associations (LEm) at mid- zygotene was relatively high and showed similar values in the three genotypes. These values decreased progressively between mid-zygotene and pachytene in the genotypes with the Ph1 locus because of the transformation of multivalents into bivalents. In the ph1b genotype, this value only decreased between late-zygotene and pachytene. Therefore, multivalent correction was more efficient in the presence than in the absence of the Ph1 locus.It is concluded that the Ph1 and Ph2 loci bring about diploidization of allohexaploid wheat via a different mechanism. Received: 31 July 2000 / Accepted: 15 November 2000     

Development of the synaptonemal complex and the “recombination nodules” during meiotic prophase in the seven bivalents of the fungus Sordaria macrospora Auersw

Complete reconstruction of seven leptotene, six zygotene, three pachytene and three diplotene nuclei has permitted to follow the pairing process in the Ascomycete Sordaria macrospora. The seven bivalents in Sordaria can be identified by their length. The lateral components of the synaptonemal complexes (SC) are formed just after karyogamy but are discontinuous at early leptotene. Their ends are evenly distributed on the nuclear envelope. The homologous chromosomes alignment occurs at late leptotene before SC formation. The precise pairing starts when a distance of 200–300 nm is reached. Each bivalent has several independent central component initiation sites with preferentially pairing starting near the nuclear envelope. These sites are located in a constant position along the different bivalents in the 6 observed nuclei. The seven bivalents are not synchronous either in the process of alignment or in SC formation: the small chromosomes are paired first. At pachytene the SC is completed in each of the 7 bivalents. Six bivalents have one fixed and one randomly attached telomeres. The fixed end of the nucleolar organizer is the nucleolus anchored end. At diffuse stage and diplotene, only small stretches of the SC are preserved. The lateral components increase in length is approximately 34% between leptotene and pachytene. Their lengths remain constant during pachytene. From zygotene to diplotene the central components contain local thickenings (nodules). At late zygotene and pachytene each bivalent has 1 to 4 nodules and the location of at least one is constant. The total number of nodules remains constant from pachytene to diplotene and is equal to the mean total number of chiasmata. The observations provide additional insight into meiotic processes such as chromosome movements, initiation and development of the pairing sites during zygotene, the existence of fixed telomeres, the variations in SC length. The correspondence between nodules and chiasmata are discussed.     

Allium ursinum L. in Germany – surprisingly low genetic variability

Allium ursinum s.l. is a widely spread species of the herb layer in beech forests throughout Europe. Little is known about its phylogenetic origin and its biogeographic history. Molecular genetic analyses of eleven populations from Germany were used to clarify the relationship between populations of A. ursinum s.l. and its relationship to several other species of the genus Allium. The study focused mainly on the Teutoburg Forest in Lower Saxony and the Franconian mountain area in Bavaria. Sequences of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer ITS, and the external transcribed spacer ETS, as well as the plastidic trn L‐rpl 32 and the trn L‐trn F spacer regions were compared. No variation was detected within the species. Even sequences of populations from Belfast, Ireland did not differ from populations of Germany. The closest relative to Allium ursinum s.l. turned out to be Allium moly or Allium scorzonerifolium from the section Molium. Random amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting was performed and revealed 29% polymorphic bands. Genetic distances of the populations within the Teutoburg Forest coincided with geographical distances. Three populations (Osnabrück Westerberg, Osnabrück Honeburg and Leer, East Frisia) out of eleven analysed populations were identified as garden escapes. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Strukturen endopolyploider Kerne im Bereich der Samenanlage einiger Monocotylen

Zusammenfassung Die Kerne der Antipoden vonHyacinthus orientalis (Kulturformen) undCrocus suaveolens wachsen endomitotisch heran und werden bei der erstgenannten Art schätzungsweise bis zu 32ploid, bei der anderen bis zu 64ploid.In diploiden sowie hypertriploiden Pflanzen vonHyacinthus sind zwei Strukturtypen der endopolyploiden Kerne vorhanden, und zwar solche mit gleichmäßiger Struktur und andere mit lockeren Bündeln von Endochromosomen. Im Nukleolus der Antipoden diploider Pflanzen tritt ein einziges wurstförmiges Endochromozentrum hervor; in den 1 oder 2 Nukleolen der hypertriploiden Pflanzen sind 2 solche Endochromozentren vorhanden.Die Kerne der endopolyploiden Antipoden vonCrocus suaveolens zeigen in einer euchromatischen Grundstruktur langgestreckte Endochromozentren, von denen eines in Verbindung mit dem Nukleolus steht. An diesem Nukleolus-assoziierten Endochromozentrum finden sich in manchen Kernen unmittelbar neben dem Hauptnukleolus zusätzliche kleine Nukleolen in verschiedener Zahl.Im Basalapparat des Endosperms vonAllium ursinum wurden in Kernen verschiedener Polyploidiegrade neben den bereits angegebenen Strukturen vereinzelt Riesenchromosomen beobachtet. Sie zeigen den charakteristischen Chromomerenbau.BeiNothoscordum fragrans geht das Kern Wachstum in den Synergiden, in den Antipoden und im Basalapparat des Endosperms endomitotisch vor sich. Die Biesenkerne des Endosperms zeigen Bündel von Endochromosomen mit Restspiralen.

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Summary The nuclei in the antipodals ofHyacinthus orientalis (cultivated forms) andCrocus suaveolens increase by endomitotic polyploidization; their highest degree of endopolyploidy is approximately 32 n inHyacinthus and 64 n inCrocus.In diploid as well as in hypertriploid plants ofHyacinthus two structural types of endopolyploid nuclei occur, viz. nuclei with equally distributed chromatin and others with loose strands obviously consisting of several to many endochromosomes. Within the nucleolus of the antipodals of diploid plants a single oblong chromocentre occurs, while in the 1 or 2 nucleoli of hypertriploids two such endochromocentres are regularly encountered.InCrocus suaveolens the nuclei of the endopolyploid antipodals show several oblong chromocentres together with the uniform euchromatic structure; one of them is connected with the nucleolus. In some nuclei this SAT-endochromocentre produces in close vicinity of the big main nucleolus additional small nucleoli in various number.As previously described, the basal apparatus of the endosperm ofAllium ursinum contains nuclei of various degrees of endopolyploidy; besides other well-known structures they show sporadically giant chromosomes with the characteristic chromomeric constitution.InNothoscordum fragrans the nuclei of the synergids, as well as those of the antipodals and the basal apparatus of the endosperm enlarge by endomitotic polyploidization. The giant nuclei of the endosperm show complex strands of endochromosomes with relic spirals.

     

Synaptonemal complexes and chromosome chains in the rodent Ellobius talpinus heterozygous for ten Robertsonian translocations

Synaptonemal complexes (SC) in four Ellobius talpinus males heterozygous for ten Robertsonian translocations were examined with an electron microscope using a surface-spreading technique. A total of 136 late zygotene and pachytene spermatocytes were examined. From one to three completely paired SC trivalents were found in each early pachytene spermatocyte. The lateral elements of the short arms of the acrocentric chromosomes in these trivalents were joined with an SC thus forming the third arm of the SC trivalent. At the same stage a few SC trivalents did not contain lateral elements in the pericentromeric region of the metacentric chromosomes and remained unpaired in this region up to mid pachytene. At zygotene and pachytene from two to eight SC trivalents were joined into chains due to formation of SCs between the short arms of acrocentrics of other SC trivalents. These chains are frequent at late zygotene, but are resolved during pachytene into individual trivalents. It is proposed that pairing and SC formation between the short arms of the acrocentric chromosomes results from the monosomy of the short arms and partial DNA homology between these heterochromatic regions. Since crossing over probably does not take place in these segments, the chromosomal chains may subsequently be corrected into trivalents by a dissolution of the SCs combining adjacent trivalents. The correction and disjoining of chains may not be effective in all cells. The cells in which the chains are retained are assumed to be arrested at the pachytene stage.     

Life Cycle and Temperature Requirements of Seven Herbaceous Species

Abstract

A series of observations were made on the life cycle, phenology, and germination capacity of Galantbus nivalis L., Corydalis cava Schw. et Krt., Anemone nemorosa L., Symphytum tuberosum L., Allium ursinum L., Aegopodium podagraria L., and Campanula rapunculoides L. The studies were conducted in field, in the Arboretum of the Botanical Garden of Padua, in experimental field chambers, and in growth cabinets maintained at temperature of 4°, 15° and 25°C. The various stages of life cycle of plants require different optimal thermoperiods. High temperature induce dormancy in A. nemorosa and S. tuberosum, while in G. nivalis and A. ursinum the rest period at the end of the vegetative cycle, is not broken by temperature treatments. A. podagraria and C. rapunculoides respond with a different morphogenesis to different temperatures. Temperature change (in the controlled conditions from one constant temperature to another) induced subsequent stage development. Vernalization is essential for all the species under study. However the minimum temperature for vernalization and the duration of exposure at this temperature varies in different species.

The life cycle observed of the various species may be considered as examples of different types of adaptation to a same environment.     

Altered distribution of MLH1 foci is associated with changes in cohesins and chromosome axis compaction in an asynaptic mutant of tomato

In most multicellular eukaryotes, synapsis [synaptonemal complex (SC) formation] between pairs of homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis is closely linked with crossing over. Asynaptic mutants in plants have reduced synapsis and increased univalent frequency, often resulting in genetically unbalanced gametes and reduced fertility. Surprisingly, some asynaptic mutants (like as1 in tomato) have wild-type or increased levels of crossing over. To investigate, we examined SC spreads from as1/as1 microsporocytes using both light and electron microscopic immunolocalization. We observed increased numbers of MLH1 foci (a crossover marker) per unit length of SC in as1 mutants compared to wild-type. These changes are associated with reduced levels of detectable cohesin proteins in the axial and lateral elements (AE/LEs) of SCs, and the AE/LEs of as1 mutants are also significantly longer than those of wild-type or another asynaptic mutant. These results indicate that chromosome axis structure, synapsis, and crossover control are all closely linked in plants.     

Ultrastructural studies of late meiotic prophase nuclei of spermatocytes in Ascaris suum

Post pachytene stages of meiotic prophase in males of Ascaris suum have been analyzed with the electron microscope. No synaptonemal-like polycomplexes (PCs) have been observed in the nucleoplasm or cytoplasm during the period from pachytene to diakinesis. From Serially sectioned diplotene nuclei it was found that the bivalents are located near the periphery of the nuclei, the central part of the nuclei being vacant. Each nucleus contains one nucleolus. Up to 1 m long stretches of unpaired lateral elements (LEs) are found in some of the diplotene bivalents. These LEs are morphologically similar to unpaired LEs in early zygotene nuclei. Partial 3-dimensional reconstruction of two nuclei shows that the bivalents contain some small stretches of synaptonemal complex (SC) up to 1.9 m long. Some bivalents at diakinesis show remnants of SCs. At this stage chromosomes are fibrous, condensed, attached to the nuclear envelope and mostly with a rounded profile in cross section. The synchronous development of the spermatocytes and small bivalents at diplotene in A. suum make this system a good object for the study of localization of SC remnants.