The spindle checkpoint rescues the meiotic segregation of chromosomes whose crossovers are far from the centromere. 2007

Soni Lacefield, and Andrew W Murray
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA. soni@mcb.harvard.edu

Improper meiotic chromosome segregation causes conditions such as Down's syndrome. Recombination promotes proper chromosome segregation in meiosis I; chromosomes without crossovers near the centromere are more likely to segregate to the same spindle pole (nondisjoin). Here we have used budding yeast to determine whether the spindle checkpoint promotes segregation of such chromosomes. In checkpoint-defective mad2Delta cells, properly segregating chromosomes have more crossovers near the centromere than their wild-type counterparts, and an artificial tether that holds chromosomes together suppresses nondisjunction as long as the tether is near the centromere. The tether partially rescues the segregation of chromosomes that lack crossovers.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008540 Meiosis A type of CELL NUCLEUS division, occurring during maturation of the GERM CELLS. Two successive cell nucleus divisions following a single chromosome duplication (S PHASE) result in daughter cells with half the number of CHROMOSOMES as the parent cells. M Phase, Meiotic,Meiotic M Phase,M Phases, Meiotic,Meioses,Meiotic M Phases,Phase, Meiotic M,Phases, Meiotic M
D008941 Spindle Apparatus A microtubule structure that forms during CELL DIVISION. It consists of two SPINDLE POLES, and sets of MICROTUBULES that may include the astral microtubules, the polar microtubules, and the kinetochore microtubules. Mitotic Apparatus,Mitotic Spindle Apparatus,Spindle Apparatus, Mitotic,Meiotic Spindle,Meiotic Spindle Apparatus,Mitotic Spindle,Apparatus, Meiotic Spindle,Apparatus, Mitotic,Apparatus, Mitotic Spindle,Apparatus, Spindle,Meiotic Spindles,Mitotic Spindles,Spindle Apparatus, Meiotic,Spindle, Meiotic,Spindle, Mitotic,Spindles, Meiotic,Spindles, Mitotic
D008954 Models, Biological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D011995 Recombination, Genetic Production of new arrangements of DNA by various mechanisms such as assortment and segregation, CROSSING OVER; GENE CONVERSION; GENETIC TRANSFORMATION; GENETIC CONJUGATION; GENETIC TRANSDUCTION; or mixed infection of viruses. Genetic Recombination,Recombination,Genetic Recombinations,Recombinations,Recombinations, Genetic
D002503 Centromere The clear constricted portion of the chromosome at which the chromatids are joined and by which the chromosome is attached to the spindle during cell division. Centromeres
D003434 Crossing Over, Genetic The reciprocal exchange of segments at corresponding positions along pairs of homologous CHROMOSOMES by symmetrical breakage and crosswise rejoining forming cross-over sites (HOLLIDAY JUNCTIONS) that are resolved during CHROMOSOME SEGREGATION. Crossing-over typically occurs during MEIOSIS but it may also occur in the absence of meiosis, for example, with bacterial chromosomes, organelle chromosomes, or somatic cell nuclear chromosomes. Crossing Over,Crossing-Over, Genetic,Crossing Overs,Genetic Crossing Over,Genetic Crossing-Over
D004718 Saccharomycetales An order of fungi in the phylum Ascomycota that multiply by budding. They include the telomorphic ascomycetous yeasts which are found in a very wide range of habitats. Budding Yeast,Endomycetales,Endomycopsis,Yeast, Budding,Budding Yeasts,Endomycetale,Endomycopses,Saccharomycetale,Yeasts, Budding
D018816 Genes, cdc Genes that code for proteins that regulate the CELL DIVISION CYCLE. These genes form a regulatory network that culminates in the onset of MITOSIS by activating the p34cdc2 protein (PROTEIN P34CDC2). Cell Cycle Checkpoint Genes,Cell Cycle Genes,Cell Division Cycle Genes,Checkpoint Genes, Cell Cycle,Genes, Cell Division Cycle,cdc Genes,Cell Cycle Gene,cdc Gene
D020090 Chromosome Segregation The orderly segregation of CHROMOSOMES during MEIOSIS or MITOSIS. Chromosome Segregations,Segregation, Chromosome,Segregations, Chromosome
D029702 Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins Proteins obtained from the species Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The function of specific proteins from this organism are the subject of intense scientific interest and have been used to derive basic understanding of the functioning similar proteins in higher eukaryotes. Fission Yeast Proteins,S pombe Proteins

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