The ubiquitin ligase component Siah1a is required for completion of meiosis I in male mice

Mol Cell Biol. 2002 Apr;22(7):2294-303. doi: 10.1128/MCB.22.7.2294-2303.2002.

Abstract

The mammalian Siah genes encode highly conserved proteins containing a RING domain. As components of E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes, Siah proteins facilitate the ubiquitination and degradation of diverse protein partners including beta-catenin, N-CoR, and DCC. We used gene targeting in mice to analyze the function of Siah1a during mammalian development and reveal novel roles in growth, viability, and fertility. Mutant animals have normal weights at term but are postnatally growth retarded, despite normal levels of pituitary growth hormone. Embryonic fibroblasts isolated from mutant animals grow normally. Most animals die before weaning, and few survive beyond 3 months. Serum gonadotropin levels are normal in Siah1a mutant mice; however, females are subfertile and males are sterile due to a block in spermatogenesis. Although spermatocytes in mutant mice display normal meiotic prophase and meiosis I spindle formation, they accumulate at metaphase to telophase of meiosis I and subsequently undergo apoptosis. The requirement of Siah1a for normal progression beyond metaphase I suggests that Siah1a may be part of a novel E3 complex acting late in the first meiotic division.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Female
  • Germ Cells / metabolism
  • Growth Disorders / genetics
  • Growth Disorders / mortality
  • Growth Disorders / pathology
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Infertility / genetics
  • Ligases / chemistry*
  • Ligases / deficiency
  • Ligases / genetics
  • Male
  • Meiosis*
  • Metaphase
  • Mice
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / deficiency
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Prophase
  • Proteins*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Seminiferous Tubules / pathology
  • Spermatogenesis / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

Substances

  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Siah1a protein, mouse
  • Siah1b protein, mouse
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • seven in absentia proteins
  • Ligases