The synaptonemal complex aligns meiotic chromosomes by wetting
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
During meiosis, the parental chromosomes are drawn together to enable exchange of genetic information. Chromosomes are aligned through the assembly of a conserved interface, the synaptonemal complex, composed of a central region that forms between two parallel chromosomal backbones called axes. Here, we identify the axis-central region interface in C. elegans, containing a conserved positive patch on the axis component HIM-3 and the negative C terminus of the central region protein SYP-5. Crucially, the canonical ultrastructure of the synaptonemal complex is altered upon weakening this interface using charge-reversal mutations. We developed a thermodynamic model that recapitulates our experimental observations, indicating that the liquid-like central region can assemble by wetting the axes without active energy consumption. More broadly, our data show that condensation drives tightly regulated nuclear reorganization during sexual reproduction.
Date Issued
2025-02-28
Date Acceptance
2025-01-23
Citation
Science Advances, 2025, 11 (9)
ISSN
2375-2548
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Journal / Book Title
Science Advances
Volume
11
Issue
9
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License 4.0 (CC BY-NC).
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40009663
Subjects
AXES
BINDS
CAENORHABDITIS-ELEGANS
C-ELEGANS
GENETICS
MEIOSIS
Multidisciplinary Sciences
ORGANIZATION
PROTEINS
REVEALS
Science & Technology
Science & Technology - Other Topics
SYNAPSIS
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Article Number
eadt5675
Date Publish Online
2025-02-26