Meiosis-specific with OB-fold protein (MEIOB)

Meiosis-specific with OB-fold protein (MEIOB) is a chromatin-associated, meiosis-specific, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding protein that exhibits 3′–5′ exonuclease activity[1][2][3]. It forms a complex with SPATA22 and interacts with the replication protein A (RPA) heterotrimer, functions crucial for stabilizing recombination intermediates during meiotic homologous recombination[1][2]. Mutations in MEIOB can cause infertility in both sexes by blocking homologous recombination and leading to gametogenic arrest[1][2][3]. MEIOB is evolutionarily conserved and most abundantly expressed in gametogenic tissues, particularly the testis, and is required for double-strand break repair during meiosis but is not present or functional in somatic tissues[1][2][3]. Currently, no approved or experimental drugs directly target this protein, and it is not considered a therapeutic target in conventional pharmacologic contexts.

Other names

Meiosis-specific with OB domain-containing proteinC16orf73MGC35212POF23SPGF22gs129