Meiotic cohesin RAD21L shapes 3D genome structure and transcription in the male germline.

ABSTRACT: The distinctive three-dimensional (3D) chromatin architecture adopted by chromosomes during meiosis is essential for fertility, yet the functional implications of the fine-scale spatial organization remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the impact of RAD21L deletion, a meiosis-specific cohesin subunit, on the 3D genome architecture and gene expression in the male germ line. Using fluorescence-activated cell sorting, high-throughput chromosome conformation capture, and single-cell RNA sequencing, we demonstrate that RAD21L deficiency impairs meiotic chromatin organization and inter/intrachromosomal interactions. This conspicuous 3D genome reorganization also disrupts bouquet formation, resulting in increased telomeric interactions between heterologous chromosomes in primary spermat

SUBMITTER: Marin-Gual L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12487878 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature