title: Proteomic strategy for the identification of critical actors in reorganization of the post-meiotic male genome.
abstract: After meiosis, during the final stages of spermatogenesis, the haploid male genome undergoes major structural changes, resulting in a shift from a nucleosome-based genome organization to the sperm-specific, highly compacted nucleoprotamine structure. Recent data support the idea that region-specific programming of the haploid male genome is of high importance for the post-fertilization events and for successful embryo development. Although these events constitute a unique and essential step in reproduction, the mechanisms by which they occur have remained completely obscure and the factors involved have mostly remained uncharacterized. Here, we sought a strategy to significantly increase our understanding of proteins controlling the haploid male genome reprogramming, based on the identification of proteins in two specific pools: those with the potential to bind nucleic acids (basic proteins) and proteins capable of binding basic proteins (acidic proteins). For the identification of acidic proteins, we developed an approach involving a transition-protein (TP)-based chromatography, which has the advantage of retaining not only acidic proteins due to the charge interactions, but also potential TP-interacting factors. A second strategy, based on an in-depth bioinformatic analysis of the identified proteins, was then applied to pinpoint within the lists obtained, male germ cells expressed factors relevant to the post-meiotic genome organization. This approach reveals a functional network of DNA-packaging proteins and their putative chaperones and sheds a new light on the way the critical transitions in genome organizations could take place. This work also points to a new area of research in male infertility and sperm quality assessments.
authors.affiliation: Biologie à Grande Echelle, CEA, iRTSV, F-38054 Grenoble, France.
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Govin
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gaucher
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferro
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Debernardi
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garin
authors.forename: Saadi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khochbin
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rousseaux
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D042003:DNA Packaging; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D016678:Genome; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D006238:Haploidy; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis / Q000502:physiology*; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D006657:Histones; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C053886:spermatid transition proteins