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Joined 2026-09-21 Message
Incoming links: NDT80 gene
L. Xu 2026-11-05
L. Xu studied genetic control of meiosis in budding yeast. A 1995 study characterized the NDT80 gene through mutations that prevented progression beyond pachytene.[ref]
NDT80, a meiosis-specific gene required for exit from pachytene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by L. Xu and others. Molecular and Cellular Biology 15, pp. 6572–6581; Abstract and primary byline
The arrested cells retained full-length synaptonemal complexes, while much meiotic genetic recombination still occurred. This separated progression to later stages from successful execution of every earlier molecular event: a cell can recombine DNA yet fail to complete meiosis.[ref]
NDT80, a meiosis-specific gene required for exit from pachytene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by L. Xu and others. Abstract; mutant arrest, chromosome morphology and recombination assays
Ndt80 2026-11-05
Ndt80 is a transcription factor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that activates a set of genes needed for progression through meiosis and gametogenesis. It is encoded by the NDT80 gene. Its role links a developmental transition to coordinated gene expression, rather than to completion of a single structural event.
The initial 1995 study found that NDT80 gene mutants arrested at pachytene, a stage of meiotic prophase. Their homologous chromosomes remained joined by full-length synaptonemal complexes. Much of meiotic recombination still occurred, showing that chromosome exchange and progression out of this stage could be experimentally separated.[ref]
NDT80, a meiosis-specific gene required for exit from pachytene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by L. Xu and others. Molecular and Cellular Biology 15, pp. 6572–6581; mutant phenotype and recombination analysis
A 1998 study then connected the phenotype to transcriptional control. Producing Ndt80 outside its normal developmental setting induced target genes, while the isolated protein bound a conserved upstream DNA sequence. The combination of altered gene expression and sequence binding supported a direct regulatory role.[ref]
Gametogenesis in yeast is regulated by a transcriptional cascade dependent on Ndt80 by S. Chu and others. Molecular Cell 1, pp. 685–696; ectopic expression and binding by recombinant Ndt80
NDT80 gene 2026-11-05
The NDT80 gene of budding yeast encodes Ndt80, a transcription factor involved in progression through meiosis. The gene is the DNA information; Ndt80 is the resulting regulatory protein. Keeping these distinct makes an intervention precise: deleting the NDT80 gene changes production of Ndt80, whereas measuring Ndt80 binding tests a property of the protein.
The original 1995 characterization found that NDT80 gene mutants arrested at pachytene with persistent synaptonemal complexes.[ref]
NDT80, a meiosis-specific gene required for exit from pachytene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by L. Xu and others. Abstract; null and point mutants
Subsequent experiments showed that Ndt80 bound upstream DNA and activated transcription of genes involved in meiotic division and reproductive cell formation.[ref]Gametogenesis in yeast is regulated by a transcriptional cascade dependent on Ndt80 by S. Chu and others. Abstract; ectopic expression and conserved upstream sequence binding
Pachytene 2026-11-05
Pachytene is a stage of the first meiotic prophase in which paired homologous chromosomes are closely associated through the synaptonemal complex. Each replicated pair contains four chromatids: two sister chromatids from each homologous chromosome. Pairing therefore does not reduce four chromatids to two.
Pachytene is also an experimentally distinguishable state, rather than merely a point on a clock. In budding yeast, NDT80 gene mutants arrested with full-length synaptonemal complexes even though much genetic recombination proceeded. Comparing chromosome structure, DNA exchange and later division showed that these events can be experimentally separated.[ref]
NDT80, a meiosis-specific gene required for exit from pachytene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by L. Xu and others. Abstract; pachytene arrest and relatively normal recombination