Biomedical subjects

C A Hasenkampf

Publications and source records attributed to C A Hasenkampf.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Plant chromosome homology: hypotheses relating rendezvous, recognition and reciprocal exchange.

Many higher eukaryotes have dispersed repetitive DNA and multiple instances of segmental duplications. As well, many plants and lower animals are polyploids. Thus restricting reciprocal genetic exchange to truly homologous chromosomes is likely a multi-step process. We propose the following sequence of events. First the ability to form a synaptonemal complex (SC) prematurely (i.e. before homology checking/recognition) is precluded by the organization of chromosomes during premeiotic S phase. Next rough alignment is accomplished regionally by having key allelic transcription units brought to the same transcription center. Once rough alignment is accomplished, close alignment can occur in conjunction with homology checking/recognition. Successful homology checking produces changes that now permit SC formation within the region of the check. Some organisms (with challenges to true homology such as dispersed repetitive DNA and segmental duplications) may require that, for a region to be competent to form an SC, successful homology checks must occur at both ends of the region. Successful early SC formation may provide an environment in which recombination intermediates can be earmarked for resolution into crossovers. Later in prophase I SC formation can occur nonhomologously, if two unsynapsed chromosomal axes meet.

Centromere↗

PubMed2000

meiotin-1 gene expression in normal anthers and in anthers exhibiting prematurely condensed chromosomes.

We have cloned and sequenced the promoter of a meiotin-1 gene, and have determined the precise temporal and spatial pattern of meiotin-1 gene expression. The expression of the meiotin-1 gene is controlled in two increments. The meiotin-1 gene is not expressed in any of the vegetative tissues examined. Early in microsporogenesis, low levels of meiotin-1 RNA can be detected. At the onset of meiosis, there is a dramatic increase in meiotin-1 RNA levels in both tapetal and meiotic cells. However, while meiotin-1 RNA is observed in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of meiotic cells, it is found only in the nucleus of the tapetal cells. We have also examined the expression of the meiotin-1 gene in aberrant meiotic nuclei that prematurely condense their chromosomes; these nuclei have reduced levels of the meiotin-1 protein. The aberrant nuclei have only the basal level of meiotin-1 RNA; they do not exhibit the transcriptional induction seen for normal cells at the onset of meiosis. Implications for the function of meiotin-1 in regulating chromatin condensation, and in coordinating meiotic and tapetal cell activities are discussed.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed1998

Meiotin-1, a meiosis-enriched protein present in normal leptotene chromosomes and lacking in precociously condensed leptotene chromosomes.

During mitotic prophase, chromosomes progressively compact to their metaphase length. In contrast, meiotic chromosomes condense moderately until late in prophase I, then they condense more dramatically (coil) to their fully condensed state. Meiotin-1 is a meiosis-enriched, chromosomal protein. We propose that it delays coiling until after reciprocal genetic exchange. We have used immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry with normal lily cells undergoing meiosis to demonstrate that meiotin-1 is present during the early portions of prophase I, but diminishes at the time when meiotic chromosomes begin to coil. Additionally, we have examined lily meiotic nuclei undergoing the reversible phenomenon of precocious leptotene chromosome condensation (precocious coiling). The leptotene chromosomes that are precociously condensed lack meiotin-1 immunostaining. Furthermore nuclei returning to the normal state of moderate prophase I condensation acquire meiotin-1.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1997

Maturation and secretion of a serine proteinase is associated with events of late microsporogenesis.

An antiserum against meiotic proteins which bind to DNA cellulose was generated as a tool to assist the identification and purification of microsporogenesis-specific proteins. In immunoblotting experiments, this antiserum identified three meiotic proteins which are differentially expressed in anthers during microsporogenesis. One of these proteins was purified and characterized by biochemical and immunological techniques. This 82 kDa protein is synthesized as a preproprotein, acquires glycans as it moves through the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi body, and is secreted into the anther locule. Immunocytochemical experiments demonstrate that the protein is expressed primarily in tapetal cells, and reaches peak concentrations as the microsporocytes reach the tetrad stage. Zymogram analyses and protein sequence comparisons indicate that the protein is a member of the serine proteinase family. The possible roles of the proteinase in microsporogenesis and pollen development are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

The synaptonemal complex--the chaperone of crossing over.

During meiosis homologous chromosomes pair and exchange homologous chromosome segments. The synaptonemal complex (SC) forms between paired chromosomes. The role of the SC in the process of reciprocal exchange of flanking markers is a matter of debate. I propose a dual pathway for reciprocal exchange of flanking markers (REFM). In the first, SC-independent, path, two 'half-nodules' and an independent REFM protein combine to form a functional recombination nodule (RN). The RN binds to paired chromosomes and accomplishes reciprocal exchange of flanking markers. In the other, SC-dependent, pathway 'half-nodules' occur at pairing initiation sites. 'Half-nodules' move along the SC as it forms. Assisted by an SC-bound REFM protein, 'half-nodules' combine to form functional RNs. I propose that different organisms rely to different extents on the two pathways, and hence rely to different extents on the SC.

Aspergillus↗

PubMed1991

Antibodies directed against a meiosis-specific, chromatin-associated protein identify conserved meiotic epitopes.

The molecular mechanisms by which meiotic events are regulated are at present unknown. To approach this problem, we have exploited the natural synchrony of Lilium meiocytes to compare the nuclear protein profiles of a variety of stages of meiosis. This approach has facilitated the identification of a number of nuclear proteins that appear and disappear in a stage-specific fashion. Here we report the presence of an abundant nuclear protein that first appears during premeiotic interphase, a period during which the irreversible commitment to meiosis occurs. Antibodies directed against this protein demonstrate its meiosis specificity as well as conservation of the epitope(s) in both mono- and dicotyledonous plant species. Chromatin fractionation studies indicate that this protein, which we have termed meiotin-1, is associated with strings of nucleosomes. Implications for meiotic chromatin packaging and chromosome structure are discussed.

Antibodies↗

PubMed1991

In situ hybridization of Lilium whole mount synaptonemal complex chromosomal preparations.

Whole mount meiotic preparations of the synaptonemal complex complement of Lilium have been used for in situ hybridization experiments. A probe of the maize ribosomal DNA gene cluster has been successfully hybridized to the lily preparations. Three strong signals, corresponding to the three known lily nucleolus organizer regions, have been seen in most of the chromosome preparations. In situ hybridization experiments using meiotic preparations should be useful for identifying specific chromosomes, and for investigating the role of particular DNA molecules important to meiotic function.

Histological Techniques↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A method for producing synaptonemal complex complements in lily and mouse.

A whole-mount procedure for producing pachytene synaptonemal complex complements of Lilium longiflorum was developed. The method involves swelling of the meiotic nuclei followed by nonionic detergent lysis of the nuclear envelope. This technique adequately spreads out the long lily chromosomes while producing only minimal distortion of the chromosomal axes. The ultrastructure of the synaptonemal complex is normal, and the chromatin remains closely associated with the synaptonemal complex. The procedure also was used successfully to produce pachytene synaptonemal complex preparations of mouse chromosomes. In the mouse, the centromeric heterochromatin remains associated with the synaptonemal complex, but the euchromatin is more widely dispersed.

Animals↗