Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute
Ozata group publishes in Reproduction
The transcription factor TCFL5 responds to A-MYB to elaborate the male meiotic program in mice
Katharine Cecchini, Adriano Biasini, Tianxiong Yu, Martin Säflund, Haiwei Mou, Amena Arif, Atiyeh Eghbali, Cansu Colpan, Ildar Gainetdinov, Dirk G de Rooij, Zhiping Weng, Phillip D Zamore and Deniz M Özata
Abstract
In male mice, the transcription factors STRA8 and MEISON initiate meiosis I. We report that STRA8/MEISON activates the transcription factors A-MYB and TCFL5, which together reprogram gene expression after spermatogonia enter into meiosis. TCFL5 promotes the transcription of genes required for meiosis, mRNA turnover, miR-34/449 production, meiotic exit, and spermiogenesis. This transcriptional architecture is conserved in rhesus macaque, suggesting TCFL5 plays a central role in meiosis and spermiogenesis in placental mammals. Tcfl5em1/em1 mutants are sterile, and spermatogenesis arrests at the mid- or late-pachytene stage of meiosis. Moreover, Tcfl5+/em1 mutants produce fewer motile sperm.
As a new research group aiming to construct an international work environment with a mutual respect, our main objective is to enthusiastically investigate how a mammalian male germ cell commits to become a functional sperm. Our studies will therefore advance our understanding of sperm development and may suggest approaches to promote fertility.
