Meiotic Recombination. The Metabolic Pathways from DNA Double-Strand Breaks to Crossing Over and Chiasmata

Bogdanov, I︠U︡. F.; Grishaeva, T. M.

Meiotic Recombination. The Metabolic Pathways from DNA Double-Strand Breaks to Crossing Over and Chiasmata

2020

Bogdanov, I︠U︡. F. | Grishaeva, T. M.

The coupled phenomena of DNA repair and recombination serve as a molecular basis of the universal mechanism of meiosis, which was formed in the course of evolution of eukaryotic sexual reproduction. This review examines findings from the studies of chromosomal DNA metabolism pathways leading from initial molecular events to crossing over and then to chiasmata. The last are necessary for the homologous chromosome segregation during meiosis and transformation of diploid cells into haploid gametes or spores. The historical roots are described of the theory of homologous recombination based on the hypothesis of DNA double-strand breaks repair and the experimental discovery of the “core” protein set: SPO11, RAD51, ZMM complex and other proteins responsible for meiotic recombination in most eukaryotes. Attention is drawn to known exceptions to these patterns and possible ways to explain them. The theory of two types of crossing over, i.e., dependent and independent of its interference, is described. The current results of experimental studies on the role of meiosis-specific recombination proteins at all stages of meiosis are described. The hypotheses of crossing over homeostasis and the mechanism of its interference are considered.

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