During the first meiotic division, homologous chromosomes linked by chiasmata attach to microtubules from opposite poles of the spindle (bi-orient) and then segregate. Our long term goal is, using Drosophila melanogaster females as a model, to understand the mechanisms that promote accurate chromosome segregation on the acentrosomal spindle of oocytes. In humans, errors in chromosome segregation in the oocyte lead to aneuploidy and are the leading cause of miscarriage, infertility and birth defects. Thus, we are particularly interested in the protein complexes and mechanisms of bi-orientation and the features of the oocyte spindle that makes it susceptible to chromosome segregation errors. In the absence of the microtubule-organizing center found at mitotic spindle poles, the chromosomes generate a signal which stimulates spindle assembly. In the previous funding period, we genetically defined how two types of microtubule attachment are used for bi-orientation: first lateral attachments establish bi-orientation, then end- on attachments are required for maintenance and segregation. We found that the chromosome passenger complex (CPC) is required for both the formation of a bipolar spindle and kinetochore assembly in oocytes. The CPC localizes to the centromeres and the central spindle, which is composed of overlapping antiparallel microtubules adjacent to the chromosomes. Based on these results, the premise of the proposed studies is that bi-orientation depends on lateral interactions between the kinetochores and centrals spindle microtubules. We will test the hypothesis that SPC105R recruits additional proteins for meiosis-specific functions by determining which domains function in lateral attachments and co-orientation and identifying proteins that interact with SPC105R. To investigate the function of CPC at centromeres and central spindle during meiosis I, mutants to target the INCENP to the central spindle and centromeres will be studied. We will also test the hypothesis that bi-orientation is established by lateral attachments between kinetochores and central spindle microtubules. We will examine kinetochore-microtubule attachments in central spindle mutants, determining whether lateral and/or stable end-on attachments are formed.
The Aims of this proposal are linked by a goal to understand the mechanisms of chromosome segregation that are unique to the oocyte. Upon completion of this work, we will have identified important components that have meiosis specific functions at the kinetochores, determined the role of the central spindle in bi-orientation, and characterized how this is regulated by the CPC. We will have gained insight into the mechanisms that promote bi- orientation in oocytes via the CPC, kinetochores, and central spindle. Because they are acentrosomal, there are probably segregation mechanisms that are unique to oocytes. It is important to understand these mechanisms that may make the oocyte acentrosomal spindle susceptible to certain types of chromosome segregation errors.

Public Health Relevance

Aneuploidy, or an abnormal chromosome number, is a leading cause of spontaneous abortions and infertility in women and also causes diseases such as Down, Turner or Klinefelter syndromes. The object of this research is to understand how oocytes receive the correct number of chromosomes and the mechanisms of errors that lead to aneuploidy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01GM101955-05
Application #
9317895
Study Section
Cellular, Molecular and Integrative Reproduction Study Section (CMIR)
Program Officer
Deatherage, James F
Project Start
2013-09-01
Project End
2021-06-30
Budget Start
2017-09-15
Budget End
2018-06-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Rutgers University
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
001912864
City
Piscataway
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
08854
Das, Arunika; Cesario, Jeffry; Hinman, Anna Maria et al. (2018) Kinesin 6 Regulation in Drosophila Female Meiosis by the Non-conserved N- and C- Terminal Domains. G3 (Bethesda) 8:1555-1569
Radford, Sarah J; Nguyen, Alexandra L; Schindler, Karen et al. (2017) The chromosomal basis of meiotic acentrosomal spindle assembly and function in oocytes. Chromosoma 126:351-364
Radford, Sarah J; Go, Allysa Marie M; McKim, Kim S (2017) Cooperation Between Kinesin Motors Promotes Spindle Symmetry and Chromosome Organization in Oocytes. Genetics 205:517-527
Radford, Sarah J; McKim, Kim S (2016) Techniques for Imaging Prometaphase and Metaphase of Meiosis I in Fixed Drosophila Oocytes. J Vis Exp :
Gyuricza, Mercedes R; Manheimer, Kathryn B; Apte, Vandana et al. (2016) Dynamic and Stable Cohesins Regulate Synaptonemal Complex Assembly and Chromosome Segregation. Curr Biol 26:1688-1698
Das, Arunika; Shah, Shital J; Fan, Bensen et al. (2016) Spindle Assembly and Chromosome Segregation Requires Central Spindle Proteins in Drosophila Oocytes. Genetics 202:61-75
Radford, Sarah J; Hoang, Tranchau L; G?uszek, A Agata et al. (2015) Lateral and End-On Kinetochore Attachments Are Coordinated to Achieve Bi-orientation in Drosophila Oocytes. PLoS Genet 11:e1005605
Mathieu, Juliette; Cauvin, Clothilde; Moch, Clara et al. (2013) Aurora B and cyclin B have opposite effects on the timing of cytokinesis abscission in Drosophila germ cells and in vertebrate somatic cells. Dev Cell 26:250-65