FAM9B serves as a novel meiosis-related protein localized in meiotic chromosome cores and is associated with human gametogenesis

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 10;16(9):e0257248. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257248. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Meiosis / genetics
  • Meiosis / physiology*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ovary / metabolism
  • RNA-Seq
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Spermatocytes / metabolism*
  • Synaptonemal Complex / genetics
  • Synaptonemal Complex / metabolism*
  • Testis / metabolism

Substances

  • FAM9B protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO. 8217060945, 81671513 and 81200466) and Beijing Natural Science Foundation (NO.7172236).