Cuf2 boosts the transcription of APC/C activator Fzr1 to terminate the meiotic division cycle

Abstract

The number of nuclear divisions in meiosis is strictly limited to two. Although the precise mechanism remains unknown, this seems to be achieved by adjusting the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) activity to degrade cyclin. Here, we describe a fission yeast cuf2 mutant that enters into a third nuclear division cycle, represented by ectopic spindle assembly and abnormal chromosome segregation. Cuf2 is a meiotic transcription factor, and its critical target is fzr1(+)/mfr1(+), which encodes a meiotic APC/C activator. fzr1Δ also enters a third nuclear division. Thus, Cuf2 ensures termination of the M-phase cycle by boosting Fzr1 expression to generate functional gametes.