Chromosome-associated RNA–protein complexes promote pairing of homologous chromosomes during meiosis in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Da-Qiao Ding (), Kasumi Okamasa, Yuki Katou, Eriko Oya, Jun-ichi Nakayama, Yuji Chikashige, Katsuhiko Shirahige, Tokuko Haraguchi and Yasushi Hiraoka ()
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Da-Qiao Ding: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
Kasumi Okamasa: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
Yuki Katou: The University of Tokyo
Eriko Oya: Nagoya City University
Jun-ichi Nakayama: Nagoya City University
Yuji Chikashige: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
Katsuhiko Shirahige: The University of Tokyo
Tokuko Haraguchi: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
Yasushi Hiraoka: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Pairing of homologous chromosomes in meiosis is essential for sexual reproduction. We have previously demonstrated that the fission yeast sme2 RNA, a meiosis-specific long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), accumulates at the sme2 chromosomal loci and mediates their robust pairing in meiosis. However, the mechanisms underlying lncRNA-mediated homologous pairing have remained elusive. In this study, we identify conserved RNA-binding proteins that are required for robust pairing of homologous chromosomes. These proteins accumulate mainly at the sme2 and two other chromosomal loci together with meiosis-specific lncRNAs transcribed from these loci. Remarkably, the chromosomal accumulation of these lncRNA–protein complexes is required for robust pairing. Moreover, the lncRNA–protein complexes exhibit phase separation properties, since 1,6-hexanediol treatment reversibly disassembled these complexes and disrupted the pairing of associated loci. We propose that lncRNA–protein complexes assembled at specific chromosomal loci mediate recognition and subsequent pairing of homologous chromosomes.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13609-0

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