meiosis & nuclear chromosome
C(1;Y)6/Dp(1;f)YP223 males that are homozygous for mei(2)yh921 show a high frequency of non-disjunction of the sex chromosomes (18.1%) and fourth chromosomes (18.3%). Homozygous XY males show a high frequency of non-disjunction of the sex chromosomes (17.5%) and fourth chromosomes (8.7%). Analysis of the progeny of homozygous males mated to compound-X females indicates that mei(2)yh921 predominantly disrupts meiosis I. Homologous chromosomes are paired in prometaphase-metaphase I primary spermatocytes of homozygous males (as occurs in wild type). Defects are seen in homozygous males in the late stages of meiosis I; some chromosomes show a delay in migration to the poles or remain in the vicinity of the equator in anaphase I cells, while others have already moved a considerable distance to the poles. This asynchronous chromosome movement is seen in 43% of mutant anaphase I cells (it is never seen in control cells). Thin chromatin bridges are seen connecting daughter nuclei or nuclei associated with chromatin trailing behind at telophase I are seen. Homozygous female lay a large number of eggs with normal eggshell morphology, but nuclear divisions become abnormal by the syncytial blastoderm stage.
mei(2)yh921 males show about 20% non-disjunction between the X and Y as well as the 4th chromosomes. All homologous chromosomes are tightly associated at the first metaphase in meiosis in these males. Chromatin bridge formation occurs in 18% of first anaphase and telophase cells and the duration of the metaphase stage of the first division is prolonged.
It has not been demonstrated that the female sterility and male meiotic defects of the "mei(2)yh921" chromosome are due to the same mutant lesion.