Abstract:

Meiosis is a unique cell division allowing the conversion of diploid to haploid cells. Our laboratory has been studying in mice several aspects of the program of homologous recombination which is induced during meiosis. We have recently developed several approaches to analyze the coordination between chromosome organization and meiotic recombination using genetic, cytological and genomics approaches. We have uncovered several features of the loop/axis organization of meiotic chromosomes and associated proteins (SYCP3, HORMAD1, IHO1, CTCF and MEI4) which allow us to define basic principles of meiotic chromosome organization. Our recent progress will be reported.

References:

1 Baudat, F. et al. PRDM9 is a major determinant of meiotic recombination hotspots in humans and mice. Science 327, 836-840 (2010). 2 Myers, S. et al. Drive against hotspot motifs in primates implicates the PRDM9 gene in meiotic recombination. Science 327, 876-879 (2010). 3 Parvanov, E. D., Petkov, P. M. & Paigen, K. Prdm9 controls activation of mammalian recombination hotspots. Science 327, 835 (2010). 4 Grey, C., Baudat, F. & de Massy, B. PRDM9, a driver of the genetic map. PLoS Genet 14, e1007479 (2018). 5 Diagouraga, B. et al. PRDM9 Methyltransferase Activity Is Essential for Meiotic DNA Double-Strand Break Formation at Its Binding Sites. Mol Cell 69, 853-865 e856 (2018). 6 Imai, Y. et al. PRDM9 activity depends on HELLS and promotes local 5-hydroxymethylcytosine enrichment. eLife 9 (2020). 7 Spruce, C. et al. HELLS and PRDM9 form a pioneer complex to open chromatin at meiotic recombination hot spots. Genes Dev 34, 398-412 (2020). 8 Robert, T. et al. The TopoVIB-Like protein family is required for meiotic DNA double-strand break formation. Science 351, 943-949 (2016). 9 Vrielynck, N. et al. A DNA topoisomerase VI-like complex initiates meiotic recombination. Science 351, 939-943 (2016).