Looking into the Synaptonemal Complex
October 31, 2017 | Terry Sharrer
The synaptonemal complex is a protein structure that connects the pairs of chromosomes in diploid cells. During meiosis, this complex breaks down allowing haploid cells to proceed toward cell reproduction. While biologists have known about this structure for more than sixty years, they haven’t been able to actually see its fine detail. That has now changed from researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research (Kansas City, MO) who were able to expand the sample sizes from fruit flies and then see into the complex with a structural illuminating microscope. Failure of the synaptonemal complex in human reproduction is a major cause of miscarriages. MORE
Image Credit: Ryan Kramer, Stowers Institute for Medical Research and Phys.Org