MIWI Prevents Aneuploidy during Meiosis by Cleaving Excess Satellite RNA

ABSTRACT: MIWI, a murine member of PIWI proteins mostly expressed during male meiosis, is crucial for piRNA biogenesis, post-transcriptional regulation, and spermiogenesis. However, its meiotic function remains unknown. Here we report that MIWI deficiency alters meiotic kinetochore assembly, significantly increases chromosome mis-alignment at the meiosis metaphase I plate, and causes chromosome mis-segregation. Consequently, Miwi-deficient mice show elevated aneuploidy in metaphase II and spermatid death. Furthermore, in Miwi-null and Miwi-slicer-deficient mutants, major and minor satellite RNAs from centromeric and pericentromeric satellite repeats accumulate in excess. Over-expression of satellite repeats in wild-type spermatocytes also causes elevated aneuploidy, whereas reduction of both strands

SUBMITTER: Dr. Chia-Ling Hsieh 

PROVIDER: S-SCDT-EMBOJ-2019-103614P | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other