Sun1 Function Of Telomeres Dynamic Changes And Gametes In Mice Meiosis

Prior to the pairing and recombination between homologous chromosomes during meiosis, telomeres attach to the nuclear envelope and form a transient cluster. However, the protein factors mediating meiotic telomeres attachment to the nuclear envelope and the requirement of this attachment for homologues pairing and synapsis have not been determined in animals.Here we show that the inner nuclear membrane protein SUN1 specifically associates with telomeres between the leptotene and thediplotene stages during meiotic prophase I. Disruption of Sun1 in mice prevents telomere attachment to the nuclear envelope, efficient homologue pairing and synapsis formation in meiosis. Massive apoptotic events are induced in the mutant gonads, leading to the abolishment of both spermatogenesis and oogenesis. This study provides genetic evidence that SUN1-telomere interaction is essential for telomere dynamic movement and is required for efficient homologous chromosome pairing/synapsis during mammalian gametogenesis. This study also provides a novel animal model to give the functional insight into telomere dynamics duiring mammalian meiosis and important clues for further clinical diagnosis and therapy of human infertility.