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Meiocyte
open-in-new
<h2 id="yeast">Yeast</h2> <p>The process of meiosis has been extensively studied in model organisms, such as <a href="/facts/Yeast/eGD24nfI">yeast</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> Because of this, the way in which the meiocyte is controlled through the meiotic cell cycle is best understood in this group of organisms.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> A yeast meiocyte that is undergoing meiosis must pass through a number of checkpoints in order to complete the cell cycle.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> If a meiocyte divides and this division results in a <a href="/facts/Mutant/sWgrsoFS">mutant</a> cell, the mutant cell will undergo <a href="/facts/Apoptosis/8dVzSm4y">apoptosis</a> and, therefore, will not complete the cycle.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> </p><p>In natural populations of the yeast <i><a href="/facts/Saccharomyces_cerevisiae/sX9MGFrz">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</a></i>, <a href="/facts/Ploidy/U8zl4AQe">diploid</a> meiocytes produce haploid cells that then mainly undergo either <a href="/facts/Cloning/Vb6SM4c7">clonal reproduction</a>, or selfing (intratetrad mating) to form progeny diploid meiocytes.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> When the ancestry of natural <i>S. cerevisiae</i> strains was analyzed, it was determined that formation of diploid meiocytes by <a href="/facts/Outcrossing/6sAJ4Gh7">outcrossing</a> (as opposed to <a href="/facts/Inbreeding/KRoRX08G">inbreeding</a> or selfing) occurs only about once every 50,000 cell divisions.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> These findings suggest that the principal adaptive function of meiocytes may not be related to the production of <a href="/facts/Genetic_diversity/GIymbUr8">genetic diversity</a> that occurs infrequently by outcrossing, but rather may be mainly related to <a href="/facts/Homologous_recombination/WU0IIVVv">recombinational</a> repair of <a href="/facts/DNA_damage_(naturally_occurring)/CjGTLKGl">DNA damage</a> (that can occur in meiocytes at each mating cycle).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="animal">Animal</h2> <p>The <a href="/facts/Animal/4b8J33nd">animal</a> meiotic cell cycle is very much like that of yeast. Checkpoints within the animal meiotic cell cycle serve to stop mutant meiocytes from progressing further within the cycle.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> Like yeast meiocytes, if an animal meiocyte differentiates into a mutant cell, the cell will undergo apoptosis.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="plant">Plant</h2> <p>The meiotic cell cycle in <a href="/facts/Plants/X5BMDMvS">plants</a> is very different from that of yeast and animal cells. In plant studies, mutations have been identified that affect meiocyte formation or the process of meiosis.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> Most meiotic mutant plant cells complete the meiotic cell cycle and produce abnormal microspores.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> It appears that plant meiocytes do not undergo any checkpoints within the meiotic cell cycle and can, thus, proceed through the cycle regardless of any defect.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a> By studying the abnormal microspores, the progression of the plant meiocyte through the meiotic cell cycle can be investigated further.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="mammalian-infertility">Mammalian infertility</h2> <p>Researching meiosis in <a href="/facts/Mammals/phSwTzBo">mammals</a> plays a crucial role in understanding human <a href="/facts/Infertility/emky9q8L">infertility</a>. Meiosis research within mammal populations is restricted due to the fundamental nature of meiosis.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a> In order to study mammalian meiosis, a culture technique that would allow for this process to be observed live under a microscope would need to be identified.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a> By viewing live mammalian meiosis, one can observe the behavior of mutant meiocytes that may possibly compromise infertility within the particular organism.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a> However, because of the size and small number of meiocytes, collecting samples of these cells has been difficult and is currently being researched.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Libeau, P., Durandet, M., Granier, F., Marquis, C., Berthomé, R., Renou, J. P., Taconnat-Soubirou, L., and Horlow, C. (2011). Gene expression profiling of Arabidopsis meiocytes. Plant Biology 13, 784-793. <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1438-8677.2010.00435.x/abstract" target="_blank">http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1438-8677.2010.00435.x/abstract</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Roig, I., Brieno-Enriquez, M. A., Caldes, M. G. (2011). Meiosis in a bottle: new approaches to overcome mammalian meiocyte study limitations. Genes 2, 152-168. <a href="http://www.mendeley.com/research/meiosis-bottle-new-approaches-overcome-mammalian-meiocyte-study-limitations/" target="_blank">http://www.mendeley.com/research/meiosis-bottle-new-approaches-overcome-mammalian-meiocyte-study-limitations/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Libeau, P., Durandet, M., Granier, F., Marquis, C., Berthomé, R., Renou, J. P., Taconnat-Soubirou, L., and Horlow, C. (2011). Gene expression profiling of Arabidopsis meiocytes. Plant Biology 13, 784-793. <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1438-8677.2010.00435.x/abstract" target="_blank">http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1438-8677.2010.00435.x/abstract</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Yang, X., Makaroff, C. A., and Ma, H. (2003). The Arabidopsis MALE MEIOCYTE DEATH1 gene encodes a PHD-finger protein that is required for male meiosis. The Plant Cell 15, 1281-1295. <a href="http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short" target="_blank">http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Yang, X., Makaroff, C. A., and Ma, H. (2003). The Arabidopsis MALE MEIOCYTE DEATH1 gene encodes a PHD-finger protein that is required for male meiosis. The Plant Cell 15, 1281-1295. <a href="http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short" target="_blank">http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Yang, X., Makaroff, C. A., and Ma, H. (2003). The Arabidopsis MALE MEIOCYTE DEATH1 gene encodes a PHD-finger protein that is required for male meiosis. The Plant Cell 15, 1281-1295. <a href="http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short" target="_blank">http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Yang, X., Makaroff, C. A., and Ma, H. (2003). The Arabidopsis MALE MEIOCYTE DEATH1 gene encodes a PHD-finger protein that is required for male meiosis. The Plant Cell 15, 1281-1295. <a href="http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short" target="_blank">http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Katz Ezov T, Chang SL, Frenkel Z, Segrè AV, Bahalul M, Murray AW, Leu JY, Korol A, Kashi Y. Heterothallism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates from nature: effect of HO locus on the mode of reproduction. Mol Ecol. 2010 Jan;19(1):121-31. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2009.04436.x. Epub 2009 Dec 3. PMID 20002587; PMCID: PMC3892377 <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Ruderfer DM, Pratt SC, Seidel HS, Kruglyak L. Population genomic analysis of outcrossing and recombination in yeast. Nat Genet. 2006 Sep;38(9):1077-81. doi: 10.1038/ng1859. Epub 2006 Aug 6. PMID 16892060 <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Bernstein H, Byerly HC, Hopf FA, Michod RE. Genetic damage, mutation, and the evolution of sex. Science. 1985 Sep 20;229(4719):1277-81. doi: 10.1126/science.3898363. PMID 3898363 <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Yang, X., Makaroff, C. A., and Ma, H. (2003). The Arabidopsis MALE MEIOCYTE DEATH1 gene encodes a PHD-finger protein that is required for male meiosis. The Plant Cell 15, 1281-1295. <a href="http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short" target="_blank">http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Yang, X., Makaroff, C. A., and Ma, H. (2003). The Arabidopsis MALE MEIOCYTE DEATH1 gene encodes a PHD-finger protein that is required for male meiosis. The Plant Cell 15, 1281-1295. <a href="http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short" target="_blank">http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Yang, X., Makaroff, C. A., and Ma, H. (2003). The Arabidopsis MALE MEIOCYTE DEATH1 gene encodes a PHD-finger protein that is required for male meiosis. The Plant Cell 15, 1281-1295. <a href="http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short" target="_blank">http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Yang, X., Makaroff, C. A., and Ma, H. (2003). The Arabidopsis MALE MEIOCYTE DEATH1 gene encodes a PHD-finger protein that is required for male meiosis. The Plant Cell 15, 1281-1295. <a href="http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short" target="_blank">http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>Yang, X., Makaroff, C. A., and Ma, H. (2003). The Arabidopsis MALE MEIOCYTE DEATH1 gene encodes a PHD-finger protein that is required for male meiosis. The Plant Cell 15, 1281-1295. <a href="http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short" target="_blank">http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>Yang, X., Makaroff, C. A., and Ma, H. (2003). The Arabidopsis MALE MEIOCYTE DEATH1 gene encodes a PHD-finger protein that is required for male meiosis. The Plant Cell 15, 1281-1295. <a href="http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short" target="_blank">http://www.plantcell.org/content/15/6/1281.short</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>Wang, D., Skibbe, D. S., and Walbot, V. (2011). Maize csmd1 exhibits pre-meiotic somatic and post-meiotic microspore defects but sustains anther growth. Sex Plant Reprod 24, 297-306. <a href="http://www.bioportfolio.com/resources/pmarticle/167095/Maize-Csmd1-Exhibits-Pre-meiotic-Somatic-And-Post-meiotic-Microspore-And-Somatic.html" target="_blank">http://www.bioportfolio.com/resources/pmarticle/167095/Maize-Csmd1-Exhibits-Pre-meiotic-Somatic-And-Post-meiotic-Microspore-And-Somatic.html</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>Roig, I., Brieno-Enriquez, M. A., Caldes, M. G. (2011). Meiosis in a bottle: new approaches to overcome mammalian meiocyte study limitations. Genes 2, 152-168. <a href="http://www.mendeley.com/research/meiosis-bottle-new-approaches-overcome-mammalian-meiocyte-study-limitations/" target="_blank">http://www.mendeley.com/research/meiosis-bottle-new-approaches-overcome-mammalian-meiocyte-study-limitations/</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>Roig, I., Brieno-Enriquez, M. A., Caldes, M. G. (2011). Meiosis in a bottle: new approaches to overcome mammalian meiocyte study limitations. Genes 2, 152-168. <a href="http://www.mendeley.com/research/meiosis-bottle-new-approaches-overcome-mammalian-meiocyte-study-limitations/" target="_blank">http://www.mendeley.com/research/meiosis-bottle-new-approaches-overcome-mammalian-meiocyte-study-limitations/</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>Roig, I., Brieno-Enriquez, M. A., Caldes, M. G. (2011). Meiosis in a bottle: new approaches to overcome mammalian meiocyte study limitations. Genes 2, 152-168. <a href="http://www.mendeley.com/research/meiosis-bottle-new-approaches-overcome-mammalian-meiocyte-study-limitations/" target="_blank">http://www.mendeley.com/research/meiosis-bottle-new-approaches-overcome-mammalian-meiocyte-study-limitations/</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>Libeau, P., Durandet, M., Granier, F., Marquis, C., Berthomé, R., Renou, J. P., Taconnat-Soubirou, L., and Horlow, C. (2011). Gene expression profiling of Arabidopsis meiocytes. Plant Biology 13, 784-793. <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1438-8677.2010.00435.x/abstract" target="_blank">http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1438-8677.2010.00435.x/abstract</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>