Building the Synaptonemal Complex: Molecular Interactions Between the Axis and the Central Region
Overview
Authors
Affiliations
The successful delivery of genetic material to gametes requires tightly regulated interactions between the parental chromosomes. Central to this regulation is a conserved chromosomal interface called the synaptonemal complex (SC), which brings the parental chromosomes in close proximity along their length. While many of its components are known, the interfaces that mediate the assembly of the SC remain a mystery. Here, we survey findings from different model systems while focusing on insight gained in the nematode C. elegans. We synthesize our current understanding of the structure, dynamics, and biophysical properties of the SC and propose mechanisms for SC assembly.
The synaptonemal complex aligns meiotic chromosomes by wetting.
Gordon S, Rodriguez A, Gu Y, Corbett K, Lee C, Rog O Sci Adv. 2025; 11(9):eadt5675.
PMID: 40009663 PMC: 11864179. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adt5675.
Dhyani K, Dash S, Joshi S, Garg A, Pal D, Nishant K Nucleic Acids Res. 2024; 53(3).
PMID: 39727188 PMC: 11797056. DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae1264.
Identification of the Polo-like kinase substrate required for homologous synapsis.
Gold A, Hurlock M, Guevara A, Isenberg L, Kim Y J Cell Biol. 2024; 224(3).
PMID: 39680026 PMC: 11648704. DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202408092.
The synaptonemal complex aligns meiotic chromosomes by wetting.
Gordon S, Rodriguez A, Gu Y, Corbett K, Lee C, Rog O bioRxiv. 2024; .
PMID: 39149313 PMC: 11326210. DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.07.607092.
Uncharted territories: Solving the mysteries of male meiosis in flies.
Lee L, Rosin L PLoS Genet. 2024; 20(3):e1011185.
PMID: 38489251 PMC: 10942038. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011185.