真核细胞的减数分裂中，同源染色体进行配对，形成联会复合体，保证单倍体细胞的正确形成。中央组分是联会复合体中的一个亚复合物，包括SYCE1、SYCE2、SYCE3、TEX12和SYCP1五个蛋白质，介导染色体的组装。为了深入了解中央组分的结构和分子装配机理，我们综合运用结构生物学和细胞生物学手段，研究以下三个方面内容：SYCE2/TEX12二元复合物的结构和功能研究；SYCE1/SYCE3二元复合物的结构和功能研究；中央组分的体外重组和结构研究。本项目的研究成果将为理解细胞减数分裂的分子机理产生深远的影响，并为不孕不育和生殖力低下病症提供重要的分子基础和理论指导意义。

Sexual reproduction occurs in eukaryotes through meiosis, a process by which a diploid germ-line cell divides, resulting in the formation of haploid cells. The key step of meiosis is that two homologous chromosomes pair and that a synaptonemal complex develops between them. The central elements is one of sub-complex among synaptonemal complex, including SYCE1, SYCE2, SYCE3, TEX12 and SYCP1 five proteins, mediating the assembly of chromosomes pair. To uncover the structure and molecular mechanism of the central element, we will comprehensively use techniques of structural biology and cell biology to study three following parts: structural and functional studies of SYCE2/TEX12 binary complex; structural and functional studies of SYCE1/SYCE3 binary complex; In vitro assembly and structural studies of central elements. Our results will have profound effect on the molecular mechanism of meiosis, and also provide foundation for infertility and lower fertility diseases.