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Evolutionarily-conserved MZIP2 is essential for crossover formation in mammalian meiosis

Qianting Zhang1, Jingchen Shao1, Heng-Yu Fan2

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Communications Biology
|October 2, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Mammalian MZIP2 protein is essential for successful meiosis and fertility in mice. Its absence disrupts DNA repair and crossover formation, leading to sterility.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Meiosis requires crossover formation for homologous chromosome segregation.
  • ZMM proteins are conserved and crucial for crossover formation.
  • Budding yeast Zip2, Spo16, and Zip4 form a complex promoting crossovers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the mammalian ortholog of yeast Zip2.
  • To investigate the function of MZIP2 in mammalian meiosis.

Main Methods:

  • Mice lacking MZIP2 were generated and analyzed.
  • Localization of MZIP2, TEX11, and MSH4 was assessed.
  • Meiotic progression and chromosome structure were examined in MZIP2-null mice.

Main Results:

  • MZIP2 is the mammalian ortholog of Zip2.
  • Mice lacking MZIP2 are sterile and exhibit DNA repair defects.
  • MZIP2 is required for TEX11 and MSH4 localization.
  • Crossover formation and synaptonemal complex assembly are abolished in MZIP2-null meiocytes.
  • Meiosis arrests at a zygotene-like stage.

Conclusions:

  • MZIP2 is essential for mammalian meiosis and fertility.
  • MZIP2 plays a critical role in processing recombination intermediates for crossover formation.
  • Disruption of MZIP2 function leads to meiotic arrest and sterility.

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