Genes that bias Mendelian segregation

PLoS Genet. 2014 May 15;10(5):e1004387. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004387. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Mendel laws of inheritance can be cheated by Meiotic Drive Elements (MDs), complex nuclear genetic loci found in various eukaryotic genomes and distorting segregation in their favor. Here, we identify and characterize in the model fungus Podospora anserina Spok1 and Spok2, two MDs known as Spore Killers. We show that they are related genes with both spore-killing distorter and spore-protecting responder activities carried out by the same allele. These alleles act as autonomous elements, exert their effects independently of their location in the genome and can act as MDs in other fungi. Additionally, Spok1 acts as a resistance factor to Spok2 killing. Genetical data and cytological analysis of Spok1 and Spok2 localization during the killing process suggest a complex mode of action for Spok proteins. Spok1 and Spok2 belong to a multigene family prevalent in the genomes of many ascomycetes. As they have no obvious cellular role, Spok1 and Spok2 Spore Killer genes represent a novel kind of selfish genetic elements prevalent in fungal genome that proliferate through meiotic distortion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Chromosome Segregation / genetics*
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics*
  • Meiosis / genetics*
  • Podospora / genetics*
  • Spores, Fungal

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins

Grants and funding

PG is a recipient of a “Nouveau Contrat Doctoral” fellowship from the Université Paris Diderot – Paris 7, Sorbonne Paris Cité. This work was also supported by intramural funding from the Université Paris-Sud 11. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.