OsHUS1 facilitates accurate meiotic recombination in rice

PLoS Genet. 2014 Jun 5;10(6):e1004405. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004405. eCollection 2014 Jun.

Abstract

Meiotic recombination normally takes place between allelic sequences on homologs. This process can also occur between non-allelic homologous sequences. Such ectopic interaction events can lead to chromosome rearrangements and are normally avoided. However, much remains unknown about how these ectopic interaction events are sensed and eliminated. In this study, using a screen in rice, we characterized a homolog of HUS1 and explored its function in meiotic recombination. In Oshus1 mutants, in conjunction with nearly normal homologous pairing and synapsis, vigorous, aberrant ectopic interactions occurred between nonhomologous chromosomes, leading to multivalent formation and subsequent chromosome fragmentation. These ectopic interactions relied on programmed meiotic double strand breaks and were formed in a manner independent of the OsMER3-mediated interference-sensitive crossover pathway. Although early homologous recombination events occurred normally, the number of interference-sensitive crossovers was reduced in the absence of OsHUS1. Together, our results indicate that OsHUS1 might be involved in regulating ectopic interactions during meiosis, probably by forming the canonical RAD9-RAD1-HUS1 (9-1-1) complex.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / genetics*
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded
  • DNA Helicases / genetics
  • DNA Repair / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Meiotic Prophase I / genetics*
  • Mitomycin / pharmacology
  • Multiprotein Complexes / genetics
  • Oryza / genetics*
  • Plant Proteins / genetics*
  • Recombination, Genetic / genetics*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Plant Proteins
  • Mitomycin
  • DNA Helicases

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from the Ministry of Sciences and Technology of China (2011CB944602 and 2012AA10A301), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31230038 and 31170288). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.