A Mouse Speciation Gene Encodes a Meiotic Histone H3 Methyltransferase
Top Cited Papers
- 16 January 2009
- journal article
- other
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science
- Vol. 323 (5912) , 373-375
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1163601
Abstract
Speciation genes restrict gene flow between the incipient species and related taxa. Three decades ago, we mapped a mammalian speciation gene, hybrid sterility 1 (Hst1), in the intersubspecific hybrids of house mouse. Here, we identify this gene as Prdm9, encoding a histone H3 lysine 4 trimethyltransferase. We rescued infertility in male hybrids with bacterial artificial chromosomes carrying Prdm9 from a strain with the “fertility” Hst1f allele. Sterile hybrids display down-regulated microrchidia 2B (Morc2b) and fail to compartmentalize γH2AX into the pachynema sex (XY) body. These defects, seen also in Prdm9-null mutants, are rescued by the Prdm9 transgene. Identification of a vertebrate hybrid sterility gene reveals a role for epigenetics in speciation and opens a window to a hybrid sterility gene network.Keywords
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