Argonaute proteins regulate the timing of the spermatogenic transcriptional program
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Argonaute proteins are best known for their role in microRNA-mediated post-transcriptional gene silencing. Here, we show that AGO3, but not AGO2, localizes to the sex chromatin of pachytene spermatocytes nuclei, where together with AGO4, it is required for full transcriptional silencing of XY-linked genes. Using a triple Ago413-/- mouse, we show that AGO3 and AGO4 are key regulators of spermatogenesis, orchestrating program-wide expression of meiosis-related genes during prophase I, while maintaining silencing of spermiogenesis genes. Premature overexpression of spermiogenesis genes during prophase I in Ago413-/- mice results in subfertility, associated with severe spermiogenesis defects leading to altered sperm morphology and reduced fertilization capability. We also identify BRG1, a BAF complex subunit, as an AGO3 interactor. Loss of AGO3 and AGO4 results in increased BRG1 in spermatocytes, suggesting that AGO3 is needed to help remove BRG1 from the XY chromatin during meiotic sex chromosome inactivation and indicating a role for AGO3 in transcriptional control during meiosis through interaction with the chromatin remodeling machinery.
INSTRUMENT(S):
ORGANISM(S): Mus Musculus (mouse)
TISSUE(S): Cell Culture
SUBMITTER:
Qin Fu
LAB HEAD: Qin Fu
PROVIDER: PXD059391 | Pride | 2026-06-22
REPOSITORIES: Pride
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