title: A histone H3 methyltransferase controls epigenetic events required for meiotic prophase.
abstract: Epigenetic modifications of histones regulate gene expression and chromatin structure. Here we show that Meisetz (meiosis-induced factor containing a PR/SET domain and zinc-finger motif) is a histone methyltransferase that is important for the progression of early meiotic prophase. Meisetz transcripts are detected only in germ cells entering meiotic prophase in female fetal gonads and in postnatal testis. Notably, Meisetz has catalytic activity for trimethylation, but not mono- or dimethylation, of lysine 4 of histone H3, and a transactivation activity that depends on its methylation activity. Mice in which the Meisetz gene is disrupted show sterility in both sexes due to severe impairment of the double-stranded break repair pathway, deficient pairing of homologous chromosomes and impaired sex body formation. In Meisetz-deficient testis, trimethylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 is attenuated and meiotic gene transcription is altered. These findings indicate that meiosis-specific epigenetic events in mammals are crucial for proper meiotic progression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Embryology, Research Institute, Osaka Medical Center for Maternal and Child Health, Murodo-cho 840, Izumi, Osaka 594-1101, Japan.
authors.forename: Katsuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Kayo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Yasuhisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsui
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006066:Gonads / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D000076983:Histone Methyltransferases; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis / Q000235:genetics*; D008745:Methylation; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011418:Prophase; D011496:Protein Methyltransferases; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D006657:Histones; D000076983:Histone Methyltransferases; D011496:Protein Methyltransferases; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase