Genetic determination and molecular control of meiotic CO interference in Arabidopsis thaliana

In plants, like in other sexually reproducing eukaryotes, patterns of genetic variability are determined by the genome-wide distribution of homologous recombination during meiosis. Generally, meiotic cross-overs are non-randomly distributed with most COs occurring in subtelomeric regions whereas other genomic regions remain CO depleted. This specific CO landscape is maintained by a set of overarching regulatory processes with CO interference acting as the predominant mechanism driving non-homogenous CO distribution. Here, in this study, we embark on a forward genetics approach in Arabidopsis thaliana to identify novel genetic factors involved in meiotic CO interference. Functional characterization of identified genes/proteins via a combination of advanced cytological and genetic procedures will elucidate their specific role in meiotic CO determination. As a finality, proposed project will thus provide fundamental insights into the molecular mechanism(s) that underpin spatial designation of meiotic CO establishment along the plant’s genome.

Keywords:meiosis, crossing-over, genetic variability, forward genetics, Arabidopsis thaliana, CO interference

Disciplines:Genetics