Abstract
AbstractMeiotic recombination is a ubiquitous function of sexual reproduction throughout eukaryotes. Here we report that recombination is extremely suppressed during meiosis in the yeast speciesSaccharomycodes ludwigii. DNA double-strand break formation, processing and repair are required for normal meiosis but do not lead to crossing over. Although the species has retained an intact meiotic gene repertoire, genetic and population analyses suggest the exceptionally rare occurrence of meiotic crossovers. We propose thatSd. ludwigiihas followed a unique evolutionary trajectory that possibly derives fitness benefits from the combination of frequent fertilization within the meiotic tetrad with the absence of meiotic recombination.
Publisher
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
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