Meiotic double-stranded break formation protein 4 (MEI4)

Meiotic double-stranded break formation protein 4 (MEI4) is an evolutionarily conserved protein essential for the initiation of programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) during early meiotic prophase, a pivotal step for homologous recombination and chromosome segregation in meiosis[1][2][3]. MEI4 is required for the correct localization and activation of the SPO11 complex, which catalyzes DSB formation[1][2]. MEI4 localizes as discrete foci on meiotic chromosome axes and interacts directly with REC114, forming part of the conserved machinery necessary for DSB formation[2][4]. Loss of MEI4 in model organisms like mice leads to complete infertility due to the absence of meiotic DSBs[2]. There are no known drug interactions or current direct therapeutic applications, and MEI4 is not considered a therapeutic target, but it plays a fundamental biological role in gametogenesis and genetic diversity[1][2][3][4].

Other names

Meiosis-specific protein MEI4meiosis-specific 4 homologmeiosis-specific protein MEI4-likeMEI4-like