Sequential assembly of centromeric proteins in male mouse meiosis

PLoS Genet. 2009 Mar;5(3):e1000417. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1000417. Epub 2009 Mar 13.

Abstract

The assembly of the mitotic centromere has been extensively studied in recent years, revealing the sequence and regulation of protein loading to this chromosome domain. However, few studies have analyzed centromere assembly during mammalian meiosis. This study specifically targets this approach on mouse spermatocytes. We have found that during prophase I, the proteins of the chromosomal passenger complex Borealin, INCENP, and Aurora-B load sequentially to the inner centromere before Shugoshin 2 and MCAK. The last proteins to be assembled are the outer kinetochore proteins BubR1 and CENP-E. All these proteins are not detected at the centromere during anaphase/telophase I and are then reloaded during interkinesis. The loading sequence of the analyzed proteins is similar during prophase I and interkinesis. These findings demonstrate that the interkinesis stage, regularly overlooked, is essential for centromere and kinetochore maturation and reorganization previous to the second meiotic division. We also demonstrate that Shugoshin 2 is necessary for the loading of MCAK at the inner centromere, but is dispensable for the loading of the outer kinetochore proteins BubR1 and CENP-E.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Centromere / chemistry*
  • Centromere / metabolism
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism*
  • Kinesins / metabolism*
  • Kinetochores / chemistry
  • Kinetochores / metabolism
  • Male
  • Meiosis*
  • Meiotic Prophase I
  • Mice
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Spermatocytes / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Bub1b protein, mouse
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • SGOL2 protein, mouse
  • centromere protein E
  • Bub1 spindle checkpoint protein
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Kinesins