| First Author | Mihola O | Year | 2009 |
| Journal | Science | Volume | 323 |
| Issue | 5912 | Pages | 373-5 |
| PubMed ID | 19074312 | Mgi Jnum | J:143556 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3828184 | Doi | 10.1126/science.1163601 |
| Citation | Mihola O, et al. (2009) A mouse speciation gene encodes a meiotic histone h3 methyltransferase. Science 323(5912):373-5 |
| abstractText | 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. |
