Abstract / Description of output
The synaptonemal complex is an elaborate meiosis-specific supramolecular protein assembly that promotes chromosome synapsis and meiotic recombination. We inactivated the meiosis-specific gene Tex12 and found that TEX12 is essential for progression of meiosis in both male and female germ cells. Structural analysis of the synaptonemal complex in Tex12-/- meiocytes revealed a disrupted central element structure, a dense structure residing between the synapsed homologous chromosomes. Chromosome synapsis is initiated at multiple positions along the paired homologous chromosomes in Tex12-/- meiotic cells, but fails to propagate along the chromosomes. Furthermore, although meiotic recombination is initiated in Tex12-/- meiotic cells, these early recombination events do not develop into meiotic crossovers. Hence, the mere initiation of synapsis is not sufficient to support meiotic crossing-over. Our results show that TEX12 is a component of the central element structure of the synaptonemal complex required for propagation of synapsis along the paired homologous chromosomes and maturation of early recombination events into crossovers.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2445-51 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Cell Science |
Volume | 121 |
Issue number | Pt 15 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2008 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- Animals
- Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
- Crossing Over, Genetic
- DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded
- Immunohistochemistry
- Meiosis
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Recombination, Genetic
- Synaptonemal Complex