BRCA1/BRC-1 and SMC-5/6 regulate DNA repair pathway engagement during meiosis.

The preservation of genome integrity during sperm and egg development is vital for reproductive success. During meiosis, the tumor suppressor BRCA1/BRC-1 and structural maintenance of chromosomes 5/6 (SMC-5/6) complex genetically interact to promote high fidelity DNA double strand break (DSB) repair, but the specific DSB repair outcomes these proteins regulate remain unknown. Using genetic and cytological methods to monitor resolution of DSBs with different repair partners in , we demonstrate that both BRC-1 and SMC-5 repress intersister crossover recombination events.

Meiotic DNA break repair can utilize homolog-independent chromatid templates in C. elegans.

During meiosis, the maintenance of genome integrity is critical for generating viable haploid gametes. In meiotic prophase I, double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) are induced and a subset of these DSBs are repaired as interhomolog crossovers to ensure proper chromosome segregation. DSBs not resolved as crossovers with the homolog must be repaired by other pathways to ensure genome integrity.