Human Molecular Genetics Advance Access originally published online on June 20, 2006
Human Molecular Genetics 2006 15(15):2324-2334; doi:10.1093/hmg/ddl158
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Mouse MAELSTROM: the link between meiotic silencing of unsynapsed chromatin and microRNA pathway?

1 MRC Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK and 2 Division of Stem Cell Research and Developmental Genetics, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +44 1313322471; Fax: +44 1314678456; Email: howard.cooke{at}hgu.mrc.ac.uk
Received May 11, 2006; Revised June 7, 2006; Accepted June 16, 2006
Meiotic silencing of unsynapsed chromatin (MSUC) is a key mechanism in spermatogenesis and a model system to study the dynamics of gene silencing. Here we show that MAEL, the ortholog of Drosophila's high mobility group box protein Maelstrom, is associated not only with the silenced XY body, but also with unsynapsed autosomes. Characterization of MAEL revealed that it interacts directly with the chromatin remodeler SNF5/INI1 and chromatin-associated protein SIN3B, which we also find localized to the XY body. This is the first time that a chromatin remodeler has been shown to associate with whole chromosomes. In addition, we show that MAEL is a component of the mouse meiotic nuage and its haploid cell counterpart, the chromatoid body. This is a site of accumulation of RNA and RNA processing enzymes, including proteins involved in the microRNA (miRNA) pathway. Furthermore, in the nuage, MAEL is present in a complex with germ cell specific MVH, an RNA helicase and Argonaute family members, MILI and MIWI. The presence of MAEL in these critical compartments of male germ cells and its interactions provide a link suggesting the involvement of the miRNA pathway in MSUC.
Present address: Neural Plasticity Unit, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1 N1EH, UK.
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