The histone H3 lysine 36 demethylase KDM2A/FBXL11 controls Polycomb-mediated gene repression and germ cell development in male mice.

ABSTRACT: KDM2A/FBXL11 is a Jumonji-domain containing lysine demethylase catalyzing the removal of mono- and di-methyl modifications of histone H3 lysine 36 (H3K36me1/2). While Kdm2a is required for mouse embryogenesis, its role in adult physiology has been largely unexplored. Using conditional deletion approaches, we demonstrate that Kdm2a deficiency leads to testicular atrophy and male infertility. Although spermatogonial stem cells remain unaffected, proliferating and differentiating spermatogonia exhibit delayed cell cycle progression and apoptosis. RNA-sequencing of purified spermatogonia and spermatocytes reveals Kdm2a-dependent repression of over 750 genes during spermatogonial differentiation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) demonstrates increased H3K36me2 lev

SUBMITTER: Bocker MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12287389 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature