Mnd1/Hop2 facilitates Dmc1-dependent interhomolog crossover formation in meiosis of budding yeast

Mol Cell Biol. 2006 Apr;26(8):2913-23. doi: 10.1128/MCB.26.8.2913-2923.2006.

Abstract

During meiosis, each chromosome must pair with its homolog and undergo meiotic crossover recombination in order to segregate properly at the first meiotic division. Recombination in meiosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae relies on two Escherichia coli recA homologs, Rad51 and Dmc1, as well as the more recently discovered heterodimer Mnd1/Hop2. Meiotic recombination in S. cerevisiae mnd1 and hop2 single mutants is initiated via double-strand breaks (DSBs) but does not progress beyond this stage; heteroduplex DNA, joint molecules, and crossovers are not detected. Whereas hop2 and mnd1 single mutants are profoundly recombination defective, we show that mnd1 rad51, hop2 rad51, and mnd1 rad17 double mutants are able to carry out crossover recombination. Interestingly, noncrossover recombination is absent, indicating a role for Mnd1/Hop2 in the designation of DSBs for noncrossover recombination. We demonstrate that in the rad51 mnd1 double mutant, recombination is more likely to occur between repetitive sequences on nonhomologous chromosomes. Our results support a model in which Mnd1/Hop2 is required for DNA-DNA interactions that help ensure Dmc1-mediated stable strand invasion between homologous chromosomes, thereby preserving genomic integrity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / genetics
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / genetics
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism*
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Chromosomes, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA, Fungal / analysis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Diploidy
  • Meiosis / genetics*
  • Models, Genetic
  • Mutation
  • Precipitin Tests
  • Recombination, Genetic*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • DMC1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • HOP2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • MND1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases