A role for the Speedy gene family in the early stages of mammalian meiosis

Abstract

Meiosis is the process by which a diploid cell undergoes two sequential rounds of division without an intervening round of DNA replication. The result is the formation of haploid gametes. The genes and signals that regulate the decision to enter meiosis are not entirely elucidated in mammals. I hypothesize that the Speedy/RINGO gene family functions endogenously in the early stages of meiosis including: meiotic initiation, premeiotic DNA replication, or meiotic prophase. In order to validate this function for the Speedy/RINGO genes in vivo, I categorized Speedy/RINGO genes, chromosomal locations, sequences, expression patterns, and identified regulators. In mouse, I identified four Speedy/RINGO genes denoted: SpeedyA, SpeedyBi, SpeedyB2, and SpeedyB3. I detected mouse SpeedyA, SpeedyB2, and SpeedyB3 mRNA in spermatocytes, the meiotic cells of the testis. Additionally, I found SpeedyA to be expressed in the embryonic ovary and its expression to be dependent on Stra8.