A selfish DNA element engages a meiosis-specific motor and telomeres for germ-line propagation

Soumitra Sau, Michael N. Conrad, Chih Ying Lee, David B. Kaback, Michael E. Dresser, Makkuni Jayaram

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

The chromosome-like mitotic stability of the yeast 2 micron plasmid is conferred by the plasmid proteins Rep1-Rep2 and the cis-acting locus STB, likely by promoting plasmid-chromosome association and segregation by hitchhiking. Our analysis reveals that stable plasmid segregation during meiosis requires the bouquet proteins Ndj1 and Csm4. Plasmid relocalization from the nuclear interior in mitotic cells to the periphery at or proximal to telomeres rises from early meiosis to pachytene. Analogous to chromosomes, the plasmid undergoes Csm4- and Ndj1-dependent rapid prophase movements with speeds comparable to those of telomeres. Lack of Ndj1 partially disrupts plasmid-telomere association without affecting plasmid colocalization with the telomere-binding protein Rap1. The plasmid appears to engage a meiosisspecific motor that orchestrates telomere-led chromosome movements for its telomere-associated segregation during meiosis I. This hitherto uncharacterized mode of germ-line transmission by a selfish genetic element signifies a mechanistic variation within the shared theme of chromosomecoupled plasmid segregation during mitosis and meiosis.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)643-661
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Cell Biology
Volume205
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology

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