Initiation of meiotic recombination by formation of DNA double-strand breaks: mechanism and regulation

Homologous recombination is essential for accurate chromosome segregation during meiosis in most sexual organisms. Meiotic recombination is initiated by the formation of DSBs (DNA double-strand breaks) made by the Spo11 protein. We review here recent findings pertaining to protein–protein interactions important for DSB formation, the mechanism of an early step in the processing of Spo11-generated DSBs, and regulation of DSB formation by protein kinases.