Paternal chromosome elimination and X non-disjunction on asymmetric spindles in Sciara male meiosis

Abstract

Meiosis in male Sciara is unique with a single centrosome. A monopolar spindle forms in meiosis I, but a bipolar spindle forms in meiosis II. The imprinted paternal chromosomes are eliminated in meiosis I; there is non-disjunction of the X in meiosis II. Despite differences in spindle construction and chromosome behavior, both meiotic divisions are asymmetric, producing a cell and a small bud. Observations of live spermatocytes made with the LC-PolScope, differential interference contrast optics and fluorescence revealed maternal and paternal chromosome sets on the monopolar spindle in meiosis I and formation of an asymmetric monastral bipolar spindle in meiosis II where all chromosomes except the X congress to the metaphase plate. The X remains near the centrosome after meiosis I and stays with it as the spindle forms in meiosis II. Electron microscopy revealed amorphous material between the X and the centrosome. Immunofluorescence with an antibody against the checkpoint protein Mad2 stains the centromeres of the maternal X dyad in late meiosis I and in meiosis II where it fails to congress to the metaphase plate. Mad2 is also present throughout the paternal chromosomes destined for elimination in meiosis I, suggesting a possible role in chromosome imprinting. If Mad2 on the X dyad mediates a spindle checkpoint in meiosis II, it may delay metaphase to facilitate formation of the second half spindle through a non-centrosomal mechanism.