Meiosis is a complex cellular process that occurs during the sexual reproduction of all eukayotic organisms including man. The reproduction of meiosis involves the assembly of complex cellular structures, including the synaptonemal complex, and the spindle. We are studying two genes required for normal meiosis in Drosophila: (1) c(3)G, which is required for the assembly of the synaptonemal complex, and (2) cand, which encodes a kinesin-like mechanochemical protein that is required for the assembly of the spindle. We have refined the cytogenetic localization of c(3)G in order to facilitate the isolation of the gene by molecular cloning. We now propose to isolate the c(3)G locus by chromosome walking, and use the cloned gene to determine the nature and subcellular localization of the gene product by DNA sequencing and antibody staining. We also propose to identify additional genes required for synaptonemal complex and spindle assembly by screening for mutations that display second-site noncomplementation of c(3)G or cand. %%% Gametes are formed in sexually reproducing organisms by an intricate sequence of two cell division known as meiosis. During meiosis special structures are formed in the dividing reproductive cells which ensure that a precise and compete set of chromosome is distributed into each gamete. The cellular structures and mechanisms of meiosis are essential for normal reproduction, since gametes carrying too many or too few chromosomes give rise to grossly abnormal or inviable offspring. The detailed mechanisms of meiosis are yet poorly understood. This is a proposal to study genes of the fruit fly Drosophila whose products play an essential role in meiosis.
