Meiosis is a specialized cell cycle that generates haploid gametes from diploid cells. The
fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is one of the best model organisms for studying
the regulatory mechanisms of meiosis. S. pombe cells, which normally grow in the haploid
state, diploidize by conjugation and initiate meiosis when starved for nutrients, especially
nitrogen. Following two rounds of chromosome segregation, spore formation takes place.
The switch from mitosis to meiosis is controlled by a kinase, Pat1, and an RNA-binding …

The fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, much like the budding yeast, is a
particularly well-suited model organism for genetic research. However, the miniscule size of
both yeasts' nuclei has hindered their success as research models for cytologists. A solution
to this problem is provided by the spreading of nuclei, which increases their volume and
allows for a better spatial resolution of nuclear contents. Here we describe nuclear
spreading in fission yeast. Spreading of meiotic nuclei is particularly helpful in exposing the …