Dna2 removes toxic RPA-ssDNA flaps generated from meiotic recombination-associated DNA synthesis

During the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), de novo synthesized DNA strand can displace the parental strand to generate single-strand DNA (ssDNA) flaps. Many programmed DSBs and thus many ssDNA flaps occur during meiosis. However, how these flaps are removed remains enigmatic. Here, we show that meiosis-specific depletion of Dna2 (dna2-md) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae causes an abundant accumulation of RPA-ssDNA flaps and an expansion of RPA from DSBs to broader regions. As a result, DSB repair is defective and spores are inviable, although the levels of crossovers/non-crossovers seem to be unaffected. Furthermore, inducing Dna2 expression at pachytene is highly effective in removing accumulated RPA and restoring spore viability. Moreover, the depletion of Pif1, an activator of polymerase d required for meiotic recombination-associated DNA synthesis, and Pif1 inhibitor Mlh2 decreased and increased RPA accumulation in dna2-md, respectively. Together, our findings show that meiotic DSB repair requires Dna2 to remove RPA-ssDNA flaps generated from meiotic recombination-associated DNA synthesis. Additionally, we showed that Dna2 also regulates DSB-independent RPA distribution. Overall design: Wild type, dna2-md, dna2-md spo11Y135F were analyzed. Cells were collected at SPM 4h and 7h, then Rfa1 antibody is used for ChIP experiment.