Meiosis 1 arrest protein (M1AP)

Meiosis 1 arrest protein (M1AP) is a testis-expressed protein essential for the progression of meiosis and formation of crossovers during spermatogenesis in males[1][2][4][5]. Mutations in the M1AP gene are associated with autosomal recessive male infertility, including non-obstructive azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia, due to arrest of meiosis at metaphase I[1][2][5]. M1AP is involved in stabilizing recombination intermediates during male meiosis by acting as a sex-specific copartner of the ZZS complex (including SHOC1, TEX11, and SPO16) and facilitating recruitment of TEX11 to recombination sites[1]. It forms foci along chromosome axes in spermatocytes and is essential for proper homologous chromosome crossover and segregation[1][2]. Both knockout models in mice and human genetic studies confirm M1AP's critical, sex-specific function in male fertility, while its role in female meiosis appears dispensable[1][2][3][4][5]. M1AP is not a classic druggable therapeutic target (such as a receptor or enzyme), but it is a pathogenic gene relevant for genetic diagnosis and counseling in cases of male infertility[1][2][3][4][5].

Other names

Meiosis 1-associated proteinC2orf65SPATA37D6Mm5eSpermatogenesis-associated protein 37SPGF48Meiosis 1-arresting proteinmeiosis 1 arrest protein