Project description:DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) in repetitive sequences are a potent source of genomic instability, due to the possibility of non-allelic homologous recombination (NAHR). Repetitive sequences are especially at risk during meiosis, when numerous programmed DSBs are introduced into the genome to initiate meiotic recombination 1. Within the budding yeast repetitive ribosomal (r)DNA array, meiotic DSB formation is prevented in part through Sir2-dependent heterochromatin 2,3. Here, we demonstrate that the edges of the rDNA array are exceptionally susceptible to meiotic DSBs, revealing an inherent heterogeneity within the rDNA array. We find that this localised DSB susceptibility necessitates a border-specific protection system consisting of the meiotic ATPase Pch2 and the origin recognition complex subunit Orc1. Upon disruption of these factors, DSB formation and recombination specifically increased in the outermost rDNA repeats, leading to NAHR and rDNA instability. Strikingly, the Sir2-dependent heterochromatin of the rDNA itself was responsible for the induction of DSBs at the rDNA borders in pch2? cells. Thus, while Sir2 activity globally prevents meiotic DSBs within the rDNA, it creates a highly permissive environment for DSB formation at the heterochromatin/euchromatin junctions. Heterochromatinised repetitive DNA arrays are abundantly present in most eukaryotic genomes. Our data define the borders of such chromatin domains as distinct high-risk regions for meiotic NAHR, whose protection may be a universal requirement to prevent meiotic genome rearrangements associated with genomic diseases and birth defects. This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE30071: ssDNA mapping in dmc1 strains GSE30072: ChIP-chip of DSB factors in wild type and pch2 strains Two types of study were undertaken to understand the regulation of meiotic DSB formation close to repetitive DNA elements in yeast. First, DSBs were mapped using ssDNA enrichment in strains isogenic for a dmc1 mutation, and also including pch2 delete, orc1-161, rdna delete and a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 2 and 12 (trans2to12). Second, the association of the DSB factors Hop1, Rec114, Mer2, and Mre1, as well as total histone H3 and H3K4-trimethylation were measured by ChIP-chip analysis in wild-type and pch2 delete strains.
Project description:ChIP-chip was used to compare DSB factor localization in wild type and pch2 strains 10 samples, 2-3 replicates each. Averaged data is available as a supplementary file on the Series record (below).
Project description:ssDNA enrichment was used to map and compare DSB hotspots in dmc1, pch2 dmc1, sir2 dmc1, orc1-161 dmc1, dmc1 rdnadelete and dmc1 chr2:12 translocation strains.
Project description:ChIP-chip was used to compare DSB factor localization in wild-type and checkpoint mutant strains under S phase checkpoint inducing and uninducing conditions.
Project description:DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) initiate meiotic recombination. Past DSB-mapping studies have used rad50S or sae2? mutants, which are defective in break processing, to accumulate DSBs, and report large (= 50 kb) “DSB-hot” regions that are separated by “DSB-cold” domains of similar size. Substantial recombination occurs in some DSB-cold regions, suggesting that DSB patterns are not normal in rad50S or sae2? mutants. We therefore developed novel methods that detect DSBs using ssDNA enrichment and microarray hybridization, and that use background-based normalization to allow cross-comparison between array datasets, to map genome-wide the DSBs that accumulate in processing-capable, repair-defective dmc1î and dmc1î rad51î mutants. DSBs were observed at known hotspots, but also in most previously-identified “DSB-cold” regions, including near centromeres and telomeres. While about 40% of the genome is DSB-cold in rad50S mutants, analysis of meiotic ssDNA from dmc1? shows that most of these regions have significant DSB activity. Thus, DSBs are distributed much more uniformly than was previously believed. Southern-blot assays of DSBs in selected regions in dmc1?, rad50S and wild-type cells confirm these findings. Comparisons of DSB signals in dmc1, dmc1 rad51, and dmc1 spo11 mutant strains identify Dmc1 as the primary strand transfer activity genome-wide, and Spo11-induced lesions as initiating all meiotic recombination. Keywords: DSB mapping, ChIP-chip, single strand DNA , BND cellulose