1. MEIOSIN Directs the Switch from Mitosis to Meiosis in Mammalian Germ Cells.
- Author
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Ishiguro KI, Matsuura K, Tani N, Takeda N, Usuki S, Yamane M, Sugimoto M, Fujimura S, Hosokawa M, Chuma S, Ko MSH, Araki K, and Niwa H
- Subjects
- Animals, Cell Differentiation, Female, Germ Cells cytology, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Knockout, Signal Transduction, Spermatogenesis, Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing physiology, Cell Cycle, Gene Expression Regulation, Germ Cells physiology, Meiosis, Mitosis, Transcription Factors physiology
- Abstract
The mechanisms regulating meiotic initiation in mammals are enigmatic. It is known that retinoic acid (RA) signaling plays a pivotal role during meiotic initiation. STRA8, which is expressed in response to RA, is thought to be a key factor promoting meiotic initiation. However, the specific role of STRA8 in meiotic initiation has remained elusive. Here, we identified MEIOSIN as a germ-cell-specific factor that associates with STRA8. MEIOSIN, like STRA8, is expressed in response to RA and plays an essential role in meiotic initiation in both males and females. Functional analyses revealed that MEIOSIN acts as a transcription factor together with STRA8, and that both factors are critical for driving meiotic gene activation. Furthermore, temporally restricted expression of MEIOSIN leads to meiotic entry decision during spermatogenesis. The present study demonstrates that MEIOSIN, in collaboration with STRA8, plays a central role in regulating the mitosis to meiosis germ cell fate decision in mammals., Competing Interests: Declaration of Interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2020
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