Novel functions of the cohesin accessory factor dPDS5 uncover a new meiotic checkpoint

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biology.

Meiosis is a highly specialized type of cell division that is essential for sexual reproduction in all Eukaryotic species, where in two rounds of chromosome segregation take place without an intervening DNA replication phase (Petronczki et al., 2003). Genetic recombination during meiosis allows for the increase of genetic variability; furthermore, it is known that, at least in males, some level of chromatin reorganization occurs, such as histone displacement (White-Cooper and Davidson, 2011). Recombination requires the induction of endogenous Double Strand Breaks (DSBs), leading to the activation of a DNA Damage Response (DDR), that both recruits repair proteins and stalls the cell cycle until repair is completed (Harper and Elledge, 2007). Until now no surveillance pathway has been described that assures proper meiotic chromatin organization. In this work, we present evidence for the existence of such a surveying mechanism.(...)