A mouse speciation gene encodes a meiotic histone H3 methyltransferase

Science. 2009 Jan 16;323(5912):373-5. doi: 10.1126/science.1163601. Epub 2008 Dec 11.

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" Hst1(f) allele. Sterile hybrids display down-regulated microrchidia 2B (Morc2b) and fail to compartmentalize gammaH2AX 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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genetic Speciation*
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / chemistry
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / metabolism*
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Hybridization, Genetic
  • Infertility, Male / genetics*
  • Male
  • Meiosis*
  • Methylation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Ovary / enzymology
  • Testis / enzymology

Substances

  • Histones
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
  • prdm9 protein, mouse