Stage-resolved genome architecture maps throughout meiotic prophase link regional variations in chromosome organization with homolog alignment
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ABSTRACT: During meiosis, chromosomes undergo extensive changes in structure and intranuclear positioning. How these chromosome organization changes occur and how they influence meiosis-specific chromosome events are not fully understood. Using Hi-C, we characterized chromosome architecture throughout mouse spermatogenesis at high temporal resolution. Our study revealed an intimate link between chromosome organization features and homolog pairing and alignment. We found that the meiotic chromosomes progressively reshape from TAD-like domains into linearly arranged loop arrays during prophase I. The transcriptionally active and inactive genomic regions exhibit distinct dynamics of loop growth, resulting in alternating domains consisting of shorter and longer chromosome loops. Such a domanial organization along meiotic chromosome axes is tightly correlated with the strength and precision of inter-homolog alignment. We further showed that a significant fraction of chromosomes near chromosome ends exhibit elevated inter-chromosomal association upon entering zygotene stage, while also exhibiting a higher degree of inter-homolog alignment. Using a mouse model defective in LINC complex component SUN1, we demonstrated that the prominent alignment of chromosome ends is dependent on the association of telomeres with the mechano-transducing LINC complex, but not the tethering of telomeres to the nuclear periphery. Taken together, our results suggest the 3D chromosome organization may provide a structural framework for the regulation of meiotic chromosome processes in higher eukaryotes.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE155638 | GEO | 2021/08/25
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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