The combined action of CTCF and its testis-specific paralog BORIS is essential for spermatogenesis.

ABSTRACT: CTCF is a key organizer of the 3D genome. Its specialized paralog, BORIS, heterodimerizes with CTCF but is expressed only in male germ cells and in cancer states. Unexpectedly, BORIS-null mice have only minimal germ cell defects. To understand the CTCF-BORIS relationship, mouse models with varied CTCF and BORIS levels were generated. Whereas Ctcf^+/+Boris^+/+, Ctcf^+/-Boris^+/+, and Ctcf^+/+Boris^-/- males are fertile, Ctcf^+/-Boris^-/- (Compound Mutant; CM) males are sterile. Testes with combined depletion of both CTCF and BORIS show reduced size, defective meiotic recombination, increased apoptosis, and malformed spermatozoa. Although CM germ cells exhibit only 25% of CTCF WT expression, chromatin binding of

SUBMITTER: Rivero-Hinojosa S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8219828 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature