Scientific Reports (Aug 2017)

MTOPVIB interacts with AtPRD1 and plays important roles in formation of meiotic DNA double-strand breaks in Arabidopsis

  • Yu Tang,
  • Zhongnan Yin,
  • Yuejuan Zeng,
  • Qinxin Zhang,
  • Liqun Chen,
  • Yan He,
  • Pingli Lu,
  • De Ye,
  • Xueqin Zhang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-10270-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Meiotic recombination is initiated from the formation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). In Arabidopsis, several proteins, such as AtPRD1, AtPRD2, AtPRD3, AtDFO and topoisomerase (Topo) VI-like complex, have been identified as playing important roles in DSB formation. Topo VI-like complex in Arabidopsis may consist of subunit A (Topo VIA: AtSPO11-1 and AtSPO11-2) and subunit B (Topo VIB: MTOPVIB). Little is known about their roles in Arabidopsis DSB formation. Here, we report on the characterization of the MTOPVIB gene using the Arabidopsis mutant alleles mtopVIB-2 and mtopVIB-3, which were defective in DSB formation. mtopVIB-3 exhibited abortion in embryo sac and pollen development, leading to a significant reduction in fertility. The mtopVIB mutations affected the homologous chromosome synapsis and recombination. MTOPVIB could interact with Topo VIA proteins AtSPO11-1 and AtSPO11-2. AtPRD1 interacted directly with Topo VI–like proteins. AtPRD1 also could interact with AtPRD3 and AtDFO. The results indicated that AtPRD1 may act as a bridge protein to interact with AtPRD3 and AtDFO, and interact directly with the Topo VI-like proteins MTOPVIB, AtSPO11-1 and AtSPO11-2 to take part in DSB formation in Arabidopsis.