Epigenetics of spermiogenesis: Combining in silico and proteomic approaches in the mouse model

Abstract

One of the most dramatic chromatin remodeling and genome reorganization ever observed takes place during the post-meiotic maturation of male germ cells. Indeed, after meiosis, early male haploid cells, or spermatids, inherit a somatic-like chromatin-based genome organization. In the following stages of their maturation, histones are removed and replaced by testis-specific basic proteins, while their genome undergoes a dramatic compaction. Despite the fundamental nature of these events, the molecular basis of the driving elements controlling them is not known. Moreover, the resulting sperm specific genome structure could be crucial for the epigenetic information as welll as move conveyed to the embryo, but this structure is completely unknown.