RESUMO
Crossing over is essential for chromosome segregation during meiosis. Protein modification by SUMO is implicated in crossover control, but pertinent targets have remained elusive. Here we identify Msh4 as a target of SUMO-mediated crossover regulation. Msh4 and Msh5 constitute the MutSγ complex, which stabilizes joint-molecule (JM) recombination intermediates and facilitates their resolution into crossovers. Msh4 SUMOylation enhances these processes to ensure that each chromosome pair acquires at least one crossover. Msh4 is directly targeted by E2 conjugase Ubc9, initially becoming mono-SUMOylated in response to DNA double-strand breaks, then multi/poly-SUMOylated forms arise as homologs fully engage. Mechanistically, SUMOylation fosters interaction between Msh4 and Msh5. We infer that initial SUMOylation of Msh4 enhances assembly of MutSγ in anticipation of JM formation, while secondary SUMOylation may promote downstream functions. Regulation of Msh4 by SUMO is distinct and independent of its previously described stabilization by phosphorylation, defining MutSγ as a hub for crossover control.
Assuntos
Troca Genética , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/metabolismo , Meiose , Proteínas de Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolismo , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genética , Proteínas Modificadoras Pequenas Relacionadas à Ubiquitina/metabolismo , Sumoilação , Núcleo Celular/genética , Segregação de Cromossomos , DNA/genética , Dano ao DNA , Reparo do DNA , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/genética , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolismo , Proteínas de Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genética , Proteínas Modificadoras Pequenas Relacionadas à Ubiquitina/genética , Enzimas de Conjugação de Ubiquitina/genética , Enzimas de Conjugação de Ubiquitina/metabolismoRESUMO
Crossover recombination is essential for accurate chromosome segregation during meiosis. The MutSγ complex, Msh4-Msh5, facilitates crossing over by binding and stabilizing nascent recombination intermediates. We show that these activities are governed by regulated proteolysis. MutSγ is initially inactive for crossing over due to an N-terminal degron on Msh4 that renders it unstable by directly targeting proteasomal degradation. Activation of MutSγ requires the Dbf4-dependent kinase Cdc7 (DDK), which directly phosphorylates and thereby neutralizes the Msh4 degron. Genetic requirements for Msh4 phosphorylation indicate that DDK targets MutSγ only after it has bound to nascent joint molecules (JMs) in the context of synapsing chromosomes. Overexpression studies confirm that the steady-state level of Msh4, not phosphorylation per se, is the critical determinant for crossing over. At the DNA level, Msh4 phosphorylation enables the formation and crossover-biased resolution of double-Holliday Junction intermediates. Our study establishes regulated protein degradation as a fundamental mechanism underlying meiotic crossing over.
