Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42447171›Full record

ArticlePLoS genetics2026

High-resolution global recombination mapping in C. elegans reveals sexual dimorphisms shaped by meiotic chromosomal features and structures.

Zachary D Bush, John S Conery, Hannah R Wilson, Alice F S Naftaly, Devin Dinwiddie, Kenneth J Hillers, Diana E Libuda

Abstract read
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Article in PLoS genetics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Zachary D BushInstitute of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5820-241X
John S ConeryInstitute of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7312-450X
Hannah R WilsonInstitute of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America.
Alice F S NaftalyInstitute of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3032-1572
Devin DinwiddieInstitute of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America.
Kenneth J HillersBiological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, United States of America.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0608-940X
Diana E LibudaInstitute of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4944-1814

Funding

DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAMT32HD007348 · NICHD · UNIVERSITY OF OREGON · PI Chris Q Doe, KRYN STANKUNAS · 1989 to 2026
$6.8M
Recombination pathway and partner choices during meiosis - Admin supplement for purchase of a High Content Imaging System.R35GM128890 · NIGMS · UNIVERSITY OF OREGON · PI Diana Elizabeth Libuda · 2018 to 2026
$4.0M
NICHD NIH HHS T32 HD007348NIGMS NIH HHS R35 GM128890
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Crossover recombination events during meiosis repair DNA double-strand breaks and ensure accurate chromosome segregation in most organisms. For many species, the genomic distribution of crossovers is nonrandom and sexually dimorphic. While many species evolved kilobase-scale "hotspots" for crossover formation, the Caenorhabditis elegans genome lacks hotspots, and crossovers are enriched across megabase-scale domains. Further, genetic and cytological studies indicate the crossover frequency in C. elegans spermatogenesis is higher relative to oogenesis in many but not all genetic intervals. To determine the genomic features that contribute to the sexually dimorphic recombination landscape in the absence of hotspots, we defined and analyzed the recombination landscape across the whole genome in C. elegans using whole-genome sequencing and high-resolution recombination mapping in single worms bearing recombinant chromosomes from individual sperm and oocytes. We find that the spatial distribution of crossovers is sexually dimorphic on chromosomes I, II, and III, and that the global rate of double-crossover events is 4.7-fold higher in spermatocytes. Additionally, we find that pairing and synapsis may contribute to the sexually dimorphic crossover landscape. In comparison to the spermatocyte crossover landscape, a higher proportion of oocyte crossovers are formed in the domains directly adjacent to the pairing centers of each chromosome. Further, reducing the genetic dosage of the synaptonemal complex central region protein SYP-2, which is a meiotic chromosome structural protein required for homologous chromosome synapsis, reshapes the oocyte crossover landscape to resemble observations in wild-type spermatocytes. Finally, we found that spermatocyte crossovers are partially enriched in H3K36me3-marked euchromatic regions, while many oocyte crossovers are enriched in H3K27me3-marked heterochromatic regions. Taken together, our studies reveal how synaptonemal complex component dosage and local chromatin states influence crossover placement and the sex-specific regulation of meiotic recombination.

Indexed as

Caenorhabditis elegansCrossing Over, GeneticMeiosisSex CharacteristicsAnimalsChromosome MappingChromosome PairingChromosomesChromosome SegregationDNA Breaks, Double-StrandedFemaleMaleOocytesRecombination, GeneticSpermatocytesSpermatogenesis

Identifiers

PMID42447171
PMCPMC13387615

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.