Targeting Polo-like kinase in space and time during C. elegans meiosis

A central player in meiotic chromosome dynamics is the conserved Polo-like kinase (PLK) family. PLKs are dynamically localized to distinct structures during meiotic prophase and phosphorylate a diverse group of substrates to control homolog pairing, synapsis, and meiotic recombination. In a recent study, we uncovered the mechanisms that control the targeting of a meiosis-specific PLK-2 in C. elegans. In early meiotic prophase, PLK-2 localizes to special chromosome regions known as pairing centers and drives homolog pairing and synapsis. PLK-2 then relocates to the synaptonemal complex (SC) after crossover designation and mediates chromosome remodeling required for homolog separation. What controls this intricate targeting of PLK-2 in space and time? We discuss recent findings and remaining questions for the future.

Automated summary

PLK family plays a central role in meiotic chromosome dynamics by controlling homolog pairing, synapsis, and meiotic recombination. In C. elegans, the meiosis-specific PLK-2 targets to pairing centers in early meiotic prophase to facilitate homolog pairing and synapsis, and then relocates to the synaptonemal complex after crossover designation to mediate chromosome remodeling.