Fission yeast meu14+ is required for proper nuclear division and accurate forespore membrane formation during meiosis II

J Cell Sci. 2003 Jul 1;116(Pt 13):2721-35. doi: 10.1242/jcs.00496. Epub 2003 May 20.

Abstract

Using a meiosis-specific subtracted cDNA library of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, we identified meu14+ as a gene whose expression is upregulated during meiosis. Transcription of meu14+ is induced abruptly after the cell enters meiosis. Its transcription is dependent on the meiosis-specific transcription factor Mei4. In meu14Delta cells, the segregation and modification of the SPBs (spindle pole bodies) and microtubule elongation during meiosis II were aberrant. Meiotic meu14Delta cells consequently produced a high frequency of abnormal tetranucleate cells harboring aberrant forespore membranes and failed to produce asci. In wild-type cells harboring the integrated meu14+-gfp fusion gene, Meu14-GFP first appeared inside the nuclear region at prophase II, after which it accumulated beside the two SPBs at metaphase II. Thereafter, it formed two ring-shaped structures that surrounded the nucleus at early anaphase II. At post-anaphase II, it disappeared. Meu14-GFP appears to localize at the border of the forespore membrane that later develops into spore walls at the end of sporulation. This was confirmed by coexpressing Spo3-HA, a component of the forespore membrane, with Meu14-GFP. Taken together, we conclude that meu14+ is crucial in meiosis in that it participates in both the nuclear division during meiosis II and the accurate formation of the forespore membrane.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence / genetics
  • Base Sequence / genetics
  • Cell Compartmentation / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA, Complementary / analysis
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Genes, Regulator / genetics
  • Giant Cells / cytology
  • Giant Cells / metabolism
  • Intracellular Membranes / metabolism*
  • Intracellular Membranes / ultrastructure
  • Meiosis / physiology
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Schizosaccharomyces / cytology
  • Schizosaccharomyces / metabolism*
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / genetics
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / isolation & purification*
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / metabolism*
  • Spindle Apparatus / genetics
  • Spindle Apparatus / metabolism
  • Spindle Apparatus / ultrastructure
  • Spores, Fungal / metabolism*
  • Spores, Fungal / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Meu14 protein, S pombe
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins
  • mei4 protein, S pombe

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB016983