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Meiotic pairing sites and genes involved in segregation of the X and Y chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster

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Chromosomes Today

Abstract

A poorly understood aspect of chromosome structure and function is the role of specific chromosomal sites in meiotic pairing and segregation. Homologous chromosomes begin aligning early in meiotic prophase and by mid-prophase are fully synapsed, a state in which a ladder-like nucleoprotein structure known as synaptonemal complex connects the aligned chromosomal axes [1]. Alignment is necessary both for recombination and for accurate segregation at anaphase. However, it is not clear whether homology recognition and pairing takes place generally or at specific sites. In a variety of organisms, homologous chromosomes align early in meiotic prophase, prior to synapsis, sometimes making multiple string-like associations (reviewed in [2]). Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) studies have shown that the earliest associations between homologous chromosomes of yeast also occur at multiple sites [3]. However, it has not been possible to determine in any organism whether the initial sites of association are specific or randomly chosen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996-0840, USA

    Bruce D. McKee, Chia-sin Hong & Siuk Yoo

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  1. Bruce D. McKee
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  2. Chia-sin Hong
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  1. Istituto di Biologia e Genetica, Via Brecce Bianche, Ancona, 60131, Italy

    Ettore Olmo

  2. Dipartimento di Biologia animale / Centro di Studio per l’Istochimica — CNR, University of Pavia, Piazza Botta 9, Pavia, 27100, Italy

    Carlo Alberto Redi

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McKee, B.D., Hong, Cs., Yoo, S. (2000). Meiotic pairing sites and genes involved in segregation of the X and Y chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster . In: Olmo, E., Redi, C.A. (eds) Chromosomes Today. Birkhäuser, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8484-6_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8484-6_11

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser, Basel

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-0348-9587-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-0348-8484-6

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