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Originally published in Science Express on 6 June 2002
Science 21 June 2002:
Vol. 296. no. 5576, pp. 2222 - 2225
DOI: 10.1126/science.1071220
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Reports

Covariation of Synaptonemal Complex Length and Mammalian Meiotic Exchange Rates

Audrey Lynn,1* Kara E. Koehler,1* LuAnn Judis,1 Ernest R. Chan,1 Jonathan P. Cherry,1 Stuart Schwartz,12 Allen Seftel,34 Patricia A. Hunt,1 Terry J. Hassold1dagger

Analysis of recombination between loci (linkage analysis) has been a cornerstone of human genetic research, enabling investigators to localize and, ultimately, identify genetic loci. However, despite these efforts little is known about patterns of meiotic exchange in human germ cells or the mechanisms that control these patterns. Using recently developed immunofluorescence methodology to examine exchanges in human spermatocytes, we have identified remarkable variation in the rate of recombination within and among individuals. Subsequent analyses indicate that, in humans and mice, this variation is linked to differences in the length of the synaptonemal complex. Thus, at least in mammals, a physical structure, the synaptonemal complex, reflects genetic rather than physical distance.

1 Department of Genetics, Case Western Reserve University,
2 The Center for Human Genetics, University Hospitals of Cleveland,
3 Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland,
4 Cleveland VA Medical Center, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
*   These authors contributed equally to this work.

dagger    To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: tjh6{at}po.cwru.edu

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