Papers by Christophe de la Roche Saint André
Journal of General Virology, 1993
Science, 2013
During meiosis, combinatorial associations of genetic traits arise from homologous recombination ... more During meiosis, combinatorial associations of genetic traits arise from homologous recombination between parental chromosomes. Histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation marks meiotic recombination hotspots in yeast and mammals, but how this ubiquitous chromatin modification relates to the initiation of double-strand breaks (DSBs) dependent on Spo11 remains unknown. Here, we show that the tethering of a PHD-containing protein, Spp1 (a component of the COMPASS complex), to recombinationally cold regions is sufficient to induce DSB formation. Furthermore, we found that Spp1 physically interacts with Mer2, a key protein of the differentiated chromosomal axis required for DSB formation. Thus, by interacting with H3K4me3 and Mer2, Spp1 promotes recruitment of potential meiotic DSB sites to the chromosomal axis, allowing Spo11 cleavage at nearby nucleosome-depleted regions.

DNA replication is a highly regulated process that occurs in the context of chromatin structure a... more DNA replication is a highly regulated process that occurs in the context of chromatin structure and is sensitive to several histone post-translational modifications. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the histone methylase Set1 is responsible for the transcription-dependent deposition of H3K4 methylation (H3K4me) throughout the genome. Here we show that a combination of a hypomorphic replication mutation (orc5-1) with the absence of Set1 (set1Δ) compromises the progression through S phase, and this is associated with a large increase in DNA damage. The ensuing DNA damage checkpoint activation, in addition to that of the spindle assembly checkpoint, restricts the growth of orc5-1 set1Δ. Interestingly, orc5-1 set1Δ is sensitive to the lack of RNase H activity while a reduction of histone levels is able to counterbalance the loss of Set1. We propose that the recently described Set1-dependent mitigation of transcription-replication conflicts becomes critical for growth when the replication fo...

Genetics, 1998
Drosophila melanogaster strains belong to one of two interactive categories, inducer (I) or react... more Drosophila melanogaster strains belong to one of two interactive categories, inducer (I) or reactive (R), with respect to the I-R system of hybrid dysgenesis. The dysgenic interaction results from the presence of several transposition-competent copies of a LINE-like element, the I factor, only in the genome of I strains. When a cross is performed between I males and R females, I factor transposes at high frequency in the germ line of F1 daughters, known as SF females. This transposition burst results in the sterility of SF females. I factor transposes by reverse transcription of a full-length transcript. Specific RT-PCR experiments were done to compare the amount of I factor transcript in samples corresponding to various transposition frequencies. The sensitivity of the method allowed the ready detection of the I factor RNA in every tissue and genetic background examined. Comparison of amplification signals suggests that I factor activity in ovaries is regulated at different levels....
Mutation Research/DNA Repair, 2000
Journal of Cell Science, 2005
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Papers by Christophe de la Roche Saint André