The mechanisms regulating meiotic initiation in mammals are enigmatic. It is known that retinoic acid (RA) signaling plays a pivotal role during meiotic initiation. STRA8, which is expressed in response to RA, is thought to be a key factor promoting meiotic initiation. However, the specific role of STRA8 in meiotic initiation has remained elusive. Here, we identified MEIOSIN as a germ-cell-specific factor that associates with STRA8. MEIOSIN, like STRA8, is expressed in response to RA and plays an essential role in meiotic initiation in both males and females. Functional analyses revealed that MEIOSIN acts as a transcription factor together with STRA8, and that both factors are critical for driving meiotic gene activation. Furthermore, temporally restricted expression of MEIOSIN leads to meiotic entry decision during spermatogenesis. The present study demonstrates that MEIOSIN, in collaboration with STRA8, plays a central role in regulating the mitosis to meiosis germ cell fate decision in mammals.

中文翻译：

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MEIOSIN指导哺乳动物生殖细胞从有丝分裂向减数分裂的转换。

在哺乳动物中调节减数分裂起始的机制是神秘的。已知视黄酸（RA）信号传导在减数分裂启动过程中起着关键作用。STRA8是响应RA表达的，被认为是促进减数分裂起始的关键因素。但是，STRA8在减数分裂起始中的具体作用仍然难以捉摸。在这里，我们确定MEIOSIN是与STRA8相关的生殖细胞特异性因子。像STRA8一样，MEIOSIN在对RA的应答中表达，在雄性和雌性的减数分裂起始中都起着至关重要的作用。功能分析表明，MEIOSIN与STRA8一起充当转录因子，并且这两个因子对于驱动减数分裂基因激活都是至关重要的。此外，MEIOSIN的时间限制表达导致精子发生过程中减数分裂进入的决定。