PLX016350

GSE39652: AGO4 Regulates Entry into Meiosis and Influences Silencing of Sex Chromosomes in the Male Mouse Germline

• Organsim mouse
• Type RNASEQ
• Target gene
• Project ARCHS4

The four mammalian Argonaute family members are thought to share redundant functions in the microRNA pathway, yet only AGO2 possesses the catalytic "slicer" function required for RNA; interference. Whether AGO1, AGO3, or AGO4 possess specialized functions remains unclear. Here, we Series_summary = show that AGO4 localizes to spermatocyte nuclei during meiotic prophase I, specifically at sites of asynapsis and in the transcriptionally silenced XY sub-domain, the sex body. We generated Ago4 knockout mice and show that Ago4-/- spermatogonia initiate meiosis early, resulting from premature; induction of retinoic acid-response genes. During prophase I, the sex body assembles incorrectly in Ago4-/- mice, leading to disrupted meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI). This is associated; with a dramatic loss of microRNAs, >20% of which arise from the X chromosome. Loss of AGO4 results in increased AGO3 in spermatocytes, indicating some degree of redundancy. Thus, AGO4 regulates; meiotic entry and MSCI in mammalian germ cells, implicating small RNA pathways in these processes. SOURCE: Stephanie,Renee,Hilz (stephanie.hilz@gmail.com) - Cornell University