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A bouquet makes ends meet

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology volume 2, pages 621–627 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

The 'chromosomal bouquet' is a polarized chromosomal arrangement that is highly conserved among eukaryotes. There have been many hypotheses about its role in the pairing of meiotic chromosomes, but until recently these have been difficult to test.

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Figure 1: Chromosomal bouquets of different species.
Figure 2: Dynamics of the bouquet stage in prophase I of flatworm (a–c) and mouse (d–f).
Figure 3: Chromosome topology in the flatworm bouquet.

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Acknowledgements

I am grateful to E. Trelles-Sticken for communication of data before publication; A. Villeneuve, Stanford University, USA, for critique on the manuscript; and E. Kessler, Babes-Bolay University, Romania, for providing the image from Ref. 62 and information on J. Gelei. I apologize to those whose work could not be cited owing to space restrictions. Support from the DFG is acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Department of Human Biology and Human Genetics, University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, D-67653, Germany

    Harry Scherthan

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  1. Harry Scherthan
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DATABASE LINKS

Atm

cytoplasmic dynein

KAR3

NDJ1

TRF1

TRF2

lamin C2

MLP1

MLP2

FURTHER INFORMATION

Scherthan lab

Hypermedia glossary of genetic terms

Glossary

ACHIASMATE

Meiosis or chromosome pairs without crossing over and chiasmata. Achiasmate meiosis is usually confined to one of the sexes (Drosophila, Bombyx).

ASYNAPTIC

Meiosis that lacks a synaptonemal complex (for example, Schizosaccharomyces pombe). Asynapsis is also used to denote meiotic chromosome pairs that fail to synapse during prophase I and form univalents at metaphase I.

CHIASMATA

(Greek chiasma; 'cross'; Janssens, 1909). A term for the nodes where the individual chromosomes making up each pair remain in contact during the diplotene and diakinetic stages of prophase and metaphase of meiosis I. A chiasma arises as a consequence of crossing over.

DIPLOTENE

(Greek diploos, 'double' and tænia, 'band, ribbon'; von Winiwarter, 1900). The stage of meiosis in which the bivalent chromosome pair is visible under a light microscope as a longitudinally doubled thread.

HOMOLOGUE DISJUNCTION

Homologous chromosomes disjoin from each other during the meiosis I (reduction) division as a result of physical interactions established during prophase I (recombination or other).

LEPTOTENE

(Greek leptos, 'thin' and taenia, 'ribbon'; von Winiwarter, 1900). Chromosomes form long, thin, separated threads in the nucleus, which are not polarized.

PACHYTENE

(Greek pachys, 'thick'; von Winiwarter, 1900). All chromosomes are paired lengthwise, forming thick threads.

PROPHASE I

(Strasburger, 1884). The early stage of nuclear division before (Greek pro) the chromosomes are seen as two chromatids. Generally denotes the stage of mitosis or of meiosis I or II before breakdown of the nuclear membrane.

SYNAPSIS

(synapto, 'to fuse together'; Moore, 1895). The conjugation or union of parental chromosomes in pairs (synaptic mates) to form bivalents; the primary step in reduction division or meiosis.

SYNAPTONEMAL COMPLEX

(Moses, 1956, Fawcett, 1956). A tripartite ribbon (0.2-μm wide) consisting of two proteinaceous parallel strands (cores) running along homologous chromosomes. Both cores are connected through transverse filaments, which form a third central element through alignment of their central connecting points.

TELOMERE

(Greek telos, end; meros, part. Muller, 1938). Natural chromosome ends. Prevent stickiness associated with broken ends,.

ZYGOTENE

(Greek zygon, 'yoke' and taenia, 'ribbon'; Gregoire, 1907). Chromosome threads begin to pair side-by-side at one or more points by formation of the synaptonemal complex.

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Scherthan, H. A bouquet makes ends meet. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2, 621–627 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35085086

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