CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Telomere-led rapid chromosome movements (RPMs) are a prominent characteristic of chromosome dynamics during meiosis. RPMs are generated in the cytoskeleton and transmitted through the nuclear envelope to telomeres by the SUN and KASH proteins (LINC complex). Although of crucial importance in maintaining germ cell integrity, components of the mechanism are missing; and how they cooperate to promote RPMs is still poorly understood. We show that S. cerevisiae Mps2 act as a KASH-like protein and cooperates with Myosin 2, a type V Myosin, to couple the telomeres to cytoskeleton actin promoting RPMs. We found that, although the Csm4 protein apparently is not a major component of the LINC complex, it plays an important role in RPMs by coordinating Mps2 and Myosin 2 functions. Our work in mouse spermatocytes shows that the Kinesin family of motor proteins mediates KASH5-microtubule interactions promoting efficient RPMs in mammals. In sum, we identified critical missing LINC and cytoskeleton components and explain how they work together to promote efficient RPM, which is required for normal progression of meiosis.