Meiosis

The synaptonemal complex (SC) is a protein structure that forms during the synapsis of homologous chromosomes during meiosis. This structure is involved in the processes of chromosome synapsis, genetic recombination and subsequent chromosome segregation, and is essential for gametogenesis.

Synaptonemal Complex Protein 3 (SCP3), which is a protein present in the synaptonemal complex which is responsible for pairing, synapsis, and recombination of homologous chromosomes during meiosis. Meiosis, in basic terms, is where germ cells divide to produce gametes. This is accomplished through DNA replication and two rounds of cell division.

The DMC1 gene encodes a 36.7 kDa nuclear protein involved in meiotic homologous recombination. This recombinase is functionally related to the yeast RAD51 and E. coli RecA genes. In contrast to RAD51, which functions in both mitotic and meiotic recombination, DMC1 works specifically in meiotic recombination. Despite this difference, the RAD51 and DMC1 recombinase are structurally similar but not identical in nature.