MORC2B is essential for meiotic progression and fertility
Autor: | Mingxi Liu, Qinghua Shi, Yongjuan Guan, Xiaoyan Huang, Yuanwei Zhang, P. Jeremy Wang, Seth D. Kasowitz, Guanxiang Liang, Jiangyang Xue, Jiahao Sha, Baolu Shi, Jian Zhou |
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Jazyk: | angličtina |
Rok vydání: | 2018 |
Předmět: |
Male
0301 basic medicine Cancer Research Gene Expression Sequence Homology Biochemistry Mice Animal Cells Spermatocytes Medicine and Health Sciences Testes Cell Cycle and Cell Division Homologous Recombination Genetics (clinical) Mice Knockout Chromosome Biology Synapsis Chromatin Cell biology Nucleic acids Meiosis Cell Processes OVA Epigenetics Female Anatomy Cellular Types Genital Anatomy Research Article Protein family lcsh:QH426-470 DNA recombination DNA damage Biology 03 medical and health sciences Genetics Animals Gene silencing Molecular Biology Gene Ecology Evolution Behavior and Systematics Reproductive System Biology and Life Sciences Cell Biology DNA Sperm Mice Inbred C57BL Chromosome Pairing lcsh:Genetics Germ Cells Fertility 030104 developmental biology Oocytes Homologous recombination Transcription Factors |
Zdroj: | PLoS Genetics, Vol 14, Iss 1, p e1007175 (2018) PLoS Genetics |
ISSN: | 1553-7404 1553-7390 |
Popis: | The microrchidia (MORC) family proteins are chromatin-remodelling factors and function in diverse biological processes such as DNA damage response and transposon silencing. Here, we report that mouse Morc2b encodes a functional germ cell-specific member of the MORC protein family. Morc2b arose specifically in the rodent lineage through retrotransposition of Morc2a during evolution. Inactivation of Morc2b leads to meiotic arrest and sterility in both sexes. Morc2b-deficient spermatocytes and oocytes exhibit failures in chromosomal synapsis, blockades in meiotic recombination, and increased apoptosis. Loss of MORC2B causes mis-regulated expression of meiosis-specific genes. Furthermore, we find that MORC2B interacts with MORC2A, its sequence paralogue. Our results demonstrate that Morc2b, a relatively recent gene, has evolved an essential role in meiosis and fertility. Author summary In sexually reproducing organisms, meiosis, a process unique to germ cells, produces haploid gametes. Abnormalities in meiosis can lead to infertility, loss of pregnancy, or genetic diseases such as Down syndrome. The meiotic processes are tightly regulated by a large number of genes including many meiosis-specific ones. The majority of meiosis-specific factors are conserved, however, species-specific factors have evolved. Here we report functional studies of a rodent lineage–specific gene named Morc2b. Morc2b belongs to a family of chromatin-remodelling factors. Morc2b is specifically expressed in germ cells. Disruption of Morc2b causes meiotic arrest and infertility in both sexes. Notably, MORC2B regulates the expression of a number of meiosis-specific genes. Interestingly, MORC2B interacts with its sequence homologue MORC2A. These functional studies have uncovered a new protein complex in the regulation of key meiotic processes and suggested the presence of continued selection pressure for evolution of new meiosis-specific factors. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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