Open AccessFAM9B serves as a novel meiosis-related protein localized in meiotic chromosome cores and is associated with human gametogenesis
Author(s) -
Xincun Zhuang,
Xuping Feng,
Wenhao Tang,
Junjie Zhu,
Ming Li,
Junsheng Li,
Xiaoying Zheng,
Rong Li,
Ping Liu,
Jie Qiao
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0257248
Subject(s) - meiosis , synaptonemal complex , biology , gametogenesis , synapsis , genetic recombination , chromosome segregation , homologous recombination , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , meiocyte , spermatocyte , meiosis ii , cytoplasm , chromosome , gene , recombination , embryogenesis
Meiosis is a complex process involving the expression and interaction of numerous genes in a series of highly orchestrated molecular events. Fam9b localized in Xp22.3 has been found to be expressed in testes. However, FAM9B expression, localization, and its role in meiosis have not been previously reported. In this study, FAM9B expression was evaluated in the human testes and ovaries by RT-PCR, qPCR, and western blotting. FAM9B was found in the nuclei of primary spermatocytes in testes and specifically localized in the synaptonemal complex (SC) region of spermatocytes. FAM9B was also evident in the follicle cell nuclei and diffusely dispersed in the granular cell cytoplasm. FAM9B was partly co-localized with SYCP3, which is essential for both formation and maintenance of lateral SC elements. In addition, FAM9B had a similar distribution pattern and co-localization as γH2AX, which is a novel biomarker for DNA double-strand breaks during meiosis. All results indicate that FAM9B is a novel meiosis-associated protein that is co-localized with SYCP3 and γH2AX and may play an important role in SC formation and DNA recombination during meiosis. These findings offer a new perspective for understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in meiosis of human gametogenesis.