Hawley RS et al. (2009) Nat Cell Biol "Homologue pairing: getting it right."

Gilliland WD, Hawley RS

[Nat Cell Biol, 2009]

In Caernorhabditis elegans, homologue pairing is mediated by specialized regions near one end of each chromosome in conjunction with zinc finger (ZnF)-bearing proteins. Families of repeated sequences that are enriched within these regions have now been identified. By recruiting their cognate ZnF-bearing proteins, these regions promote pairing and synapsis.

Hawley RS (2011) Genetics "Solving a meiotic LEGO puzzle: transverse filaments and the assembly of the synaptonemal complex in Caenorhabditis elegans."

Hawley RS

[Genetics, 2011]

The structure of the meiosis-specific synaptonemal complex, which is perhaps the central visible characteristic of meiotic prophase, has been a matter of intense interest for decades. Although a general picture of the interactions between the transverse filament proteins that create this structure has emerged from studies in a variety of organisms, a recent analysis of synaptonemal complex structure in Caenorhabditis elegans by Schild-Prufert et al. (2011) has provided the clearest picture of the structure of the architecture of a synaptonemal complex to date. Although the transverse filaments of the worm synaptonemal complex are assembled differently then those observed in yeast, mammalian, and Drosophila synaptonemal complexes, a comparison of the four assemblies shows that achieving the overall basic structure of the synaptonemal complex is far more crucial than conserving the structures of the individual transverse filaments.

Jaspersen SL et al. (2011) Dev Cell "Meiotic pairing as a polo match."

Jaspersen SL, Hawley RS

[Dev Cell, 2011]

In C.elegans, meiotic chromosome pairing is initiated by association of chromosomal sites known as pairing centers (PCs) with the nuclear periphery. The Dernburg and Zetka laboratories have shown that recruitment of Polo kinases to PCs at the nuclear envelope is essential to promote PC complex aggregation, pairing, and synapsis.

Jaspersen SL et al. (2009) Cell "Pushing and pulling: microtubules mediate meiotic pairing and synapsis."

Jaspersen SL, Hawley RS

[Cell, 2009]

Meiotic pairing in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is facilitated by chromosomal sites known as pairing centers that are tethered to the nuclear envelope. Sato et al. (2009) and Penkner et al. (2009) provide insight into how proteins linking pairing centers and the microtubule cytoskeleton mediate homolog pairing and restrict synapsis to homologous pairs of chromosomes.