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Mechanisms of meiosis initiation and meiotic prophase progression during spermatogenesis

Kei-Ichiro Ishiguro1

  • 1Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan.

Molecular Aspects of Medicine
|May 26, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Meiosis initiation, regulated by MEIOSIN and STRA8, is crucial for germ cell development and fertility. Understanding these gene programs and upstream pathways reveals insights into spermatogenesis, oogenesis, and infertility.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Meiosis is essential for sexual reproduction, involving distinct chromosomal events like recombination and synapsis.
  • Meiosis initiates after pre-meiotic S phase, progressing into meiotic prophase.
  • Key regulators Meiosis initiator (MEIOSIN) and stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (STRA8) activate meiotic genes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms of meiotic initiation and prophase progression.
  • To highlight the role of gene expression programs in meiosis.
  • To discuss the relevance of these processes to infertility and sexual differences in meiotic entry.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on gene expression and regulatory pathways.
  • Analysis of upstream pathways controlling meiotic initiation.
  • Comparison of meiotic entry modes in spermatogenesis and oogenesis.

Main Results:

  • MEIOSIN and STRA8 are critical for initiating the meiotic prophase program.
  • Gene expression dynamics govern meiotic progression.
  • Upstream pathways exhibit sexual dimorphism in regulating meiotic entry.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding meiotic initiation mechanisms is vital for addressing infertility.
  • Sexual differences in meiotic entry highlight distinct regulatory strategies.
  • This review provides a comprehensive overview of meiotic gene regulation in germ cell development.
Keywords:
Cell cycleChromosomeGene expressionMeiosisSpermatogenesis

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