Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2025

Inducible and Reversible Dominant-negative DN Protein Inhibition
08:35

Inducible and Reversible Dominant-negative DN Protein Inhibition

Published on: January 7, 2019

8.4K

[Loss of RBFOX2 inhibits meiotic initiation in male mice]

Lin Yan1,2, Jian Chen2,3, Yan Ning2,3,4

  • 1Institute of Material Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China.

Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao = Chinese Journal of Biotechnology
|October 25, 2023
PubMed

Insights

RNA binding protein RBFOX2 is essential for initiating meiosis in mouse spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Knockdown SSCs fail to initiate meiosis and undergo apoptosis, highlighting RBFOX2

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Context:

  • Meiotic initiation is crucial for gametogenesis but its regulatory factors remain unclear.
  • Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and an in vitro model of meiotic initiation were established.
  • The RNA-binding protein RBFOX2 was previously suggested to regulate meiotic initiation.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the specific role and mechanism of RBFOX2 in meiotic initiation.
  • To determine the consequences of RBFOX2 deficiency in SSCs during meiosis induction.

Summary:

  • RBFOX2 knockdown SSC lines were created using lentivirus-mediated gene delivery.
  • Knockdown SSCs maintained self-renewal, mitosis, and differentiation but failed to initiate meiosis upon retinoic acid treatment.
  • RBFOX2-deficient SSCs exhibited apoptosis when meiosis induction was attempted.

Impact:

  • RBFOX2 is demonstrated to be essential for initiating meiosis in spermatogonia.
  • This study provides novel insights into the function of RNA-binding proteins in the complex process of meiotic initiation.
  • Findings contribute to a deeper understanding of male gametogenesis regulation.
Keywords:
RBFOX2meiosismeiotic initiationspermatogonial stem cells

More Related Videos

Mouse Round Spermatid Injection08:41

Mouse Round Spermatid Injection

Published on: January 26, 2024

782
Determination of Reproductive Competence by Confirming Pubertal Onset and Performing a Fertility Assay in Mice and Rats06:38

Determination of Reproductive Competence by Confirming Pubertal Onset and Performing a Fertility Assay in Mice and Rats

Published on: October 13, 2018

15.5K

Related Concept Videos

The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
4.1K
In-vitro Mutagenesis01:16

In-vitro Mutagenesis

To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
14.0K
Meiosis II02:02

Meiosis II

Meiosis II entails cell division and segregation of the sister chromatids, resulting in the production of four unique haploid gametes. The steps for meiosis II are similar to mitosis, except that meiosis II occurs in haploid cells, whereas mitosis occurs in diploid cells.
The timing and cell division patterns of meiosis differ between males and females. In male meiosis, the centrosomes are part of the formation of the meiotic spindle. However, in oocytes, including that of humans, Drosophila,...
45.8K
X-Inactivation01:58

X-Inactivation

The human X chromosome contains over ten times the number of genes as in the Y chromosome. Since males have only one X chromosome, and females have two, one might expect females to produce twice as many of the proteins, with undesirable results.
38.6K
The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes02:45

The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes

In most organisms, sex is determined by the ratio of X and Y chromosomes. However, in some organisms, such as Drosophila and C.elegans, sex is determined by the ratio of the number of X chromosomes to the number of sets of autosomes. The Y chromosome in Drosophila is active but does not determine sex. It contains genes responsible for the production of sperms in adult flies.  
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female...
8.6K