| Stable homologous pairing is critical for accurate chromosome segregation at meiosis, the cell division that produces eggs, sperm, and pollen. Two events in early meiosis help to stabilize homologous chromosome pairing: synapsis and crossover recombination. In the first chapter of this volume, I present work in which I used a sensitized mutant background to analyze the role of the recombination machinery in regulating synapsis. These experiments suggest that the crossover recombination machinery inhibits synapsis between non-homologous chromosome segments, helping to ensure that only homologous interactions are solidified. In this chapter I will also discuss the coordination between the completion of synapsis and changes in nuclear morphology.;In the second chapter I will describe the initial characterization of several meiotic mutants that were identified in an embryonic lethal screen. These mutants have widespread defects, including problems in pairing, synapsis and recombination. The analysis of these mutants contributes to our understanding of the molecular basis of each of these processes. |
