Characterization of Spo11-dependent and independent phospho-H2AX foci during meiotic prophase I in the male mouse

Meiotic DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) are indicated at leptotene by the phosphorylated form of histone H2AX (-H2AX). In contrast to previous studies, we identified on both zygotene and pachytene chromosomes two distinct types of -H2AX foci: multiple small (S) foci located along autosomal synaptonemal complexes (SCs) and larger signals on chromatin loops (L-foci). The S-foci number gradually declined throughout pachytene, in parallel with the repair of DSBs monitored by repair proteins suggesting that S-foci mark DSB repair events. We validated this interpretation by showing the absence of S-foci in Spo11^-/- spermatocytes. By contrast, the L-foci number was very low through pachytene. Based on the analysis of -H2AX labeling after irradiation of spermatocytes, the formation of DSBs clearly induced L-foci formation. Upon DSB repair, these foci appear to be processed and lead to the above mentioned S-foci. The presence of L-foci in wild-type pachytene and diplotene could therefore reflect delayed or unregulated DSB repair events. Interestingly, their distribution was different in Spo11^+/- spermatocytes compared with Spo11^+/+ spermatocytes, where DSB repair might be differently regulated as a response to homeostatic control of crossing-over. The presence of these L-foci in Spo11^-/- spermatocytes raises the interesting possibility of yet uncharacterized alterations in DNA or chromosome structure in Spo11^-/- cells.