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
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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