Molecular Mechanisms of Homologous Chromosome Pairing and Segregation in Plants

• Published in: Journal of genetics and genomics Vol. 41; no. 3; pp. 117 - 123
• Main Authors: Zhang, Jing, Zhang, Bing, Su, Handong, Birchler, James A., Han, Fangpu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Elsevier Ltd 20.03.2014
• Subjects: Cell Cycle Proteins - metabolism; Centromere - physiology; Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone - metabolism; Chromosome Pairing; Chromosome Segregation; Chromosomes, Plant - genetics; Cohesins; Homologous chromosome pairing; Homologous Recombination - genetics; Meiosis; Meiosis - physiology; Microtubules - metabolism; Orientation and segregation; Plants - genetics; RNA, Untranslated - metabolism; Telomere - physiology; 减数分裂; 分子机制; 分离机制; 同源染色体配对; 姐妹染色单体; 植物; 真核生物; 遗传物质; Orientation and segregation; Meiosis; Homologous chromosome pairing
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2013.12.003
• ISSN: 1673-8527

In most eukaryotic species, three basic steps of pairing, recombination and synapsis occur during prophase of meiosis I. Homologous chromosomal pairing and recombination are essential for accurate segregation of chromosomes. In contrast to the well-studied processes such as recombination and synapsis, many aspects of chromosome pairing are still obscure. Recent progress in several species indicates that the telomere bouquet formation can facilitate homologous chromosome pairing by bringing chromosome ends into close proximity, but the sole presence of telomere clustering is not sufficient for recognizing homologous pairs. On the other hand, accurate segregation of the genetic material from parent to offspring during meiosis is dependent on the segregation of homologs in the reductional meiotic division （MI） with sister kinetochores exhibiting mono-orientation from the same pole, and the segregation of sister chromatids during the equational meiotic division （MII） with kinetochores showing bi-orientation from the two poles. The underlying mechanism of orientation and segregation is still unclear. Here we focus on recent studies in plants and other species that provide insight into how chromosomes find their partners and mechanisms mediating chromosomal segregation.