Molecular dissection of Neurospora Spore killer meiotic drive elements

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1203267109
• Publication Date: 2012-07-03T02:45:15Z
• Authors: Thomas M. Hammond; David G. Rehard; Hua Xiao; Patrick K. T. Shiu
• Keywords: Neurospora; Meiotic drive

Meiotic drive is a non-Mendelian inheritance phenomenon in which certain selfish genetic elements skew sexual transmission their own favor. In some cases, progeny or gametes carrying meiotic element can survive preferentially because it causes the death malfunctioning of those that do not carry it. Neurospora, be observed fungal spore killing. cross Spore killer (Sk) × WT (Sk-sensitive), ascospores containing allele survive, whereas ones with sensitive degenerate. Sk-2 and Sk-3 are most studied they each theoretically contain two essential components: resistance gene. Here we report identification characterization Sk gene, rsk (resistant to killer). seems fungal-specific its deletion strain leads self-killing. Sk-2, Sk-3, naturally resistant isolates all use for resistance. system, sequences from an isolate highly similar, suggesting share same origin. alleles differ other by unique indel patterns. Contrary long-held belief, targets only late but also early ascospore development. The RSK protein dispensable production target spore-killing mechanism. Rather, version likely neutralizes prevents interfering