Reproduction
The Epigenetics of Reproduction group is interested in understanding the epigenetic mechanisms that govern gametogenesis and thus their potential implications for fertility and transgenerational inheritance. Multiple model systems are utilized, including yeast sporulation and mouse spermatogenesis, to investigate the role of histone post -translational modifications (PTMs) and their associated in chromatin packaging and parental transmission of the epigenome to subsequent generations of offspring. The group is particularly interested in linking histone PTMs during gamete formation to physiological function and routinely performs a diverse set of experimental techniques that focus on both molecular and function al studies. The group also collaborates with clinicians to translate basic findings in the yeast and mouse with human samples.
Publications
Systematic genetic and proteomic screens during gametogenesis identify H2BK34 methylation as an evolutionary conserved meiotic markEpigenetics Chromatin. 2020 Sep 15;13(1):35. doi: 10.1186/s13072-020-00349-5. PMID: 32933557
TEX15 associates with MILI and silences transposable elements in male germ cells
Genes Dev. 2020 Jun 1;34(11-12):745-750. doi: 10.1101/gad.335489.119. Epub 2020 May 7. PMID: 32381626
Gcn5-Mediated Histone Acetylation Governs Nucleosome Dynamics in Spermiogenesis
Luense et al., Gcn5-Mediated Histone Acetylation Governs Nucleosome Dynamics in Spermiogenesis, Develop-mental Cell (2019), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2019.10.024
Comprehensive Analysis of Histone Post-Translational Modifications in Mouse and Human Male Germ Cells
Luense LJ, Wang X, Schon SB, Weller AH, Lin Shiao E, Bryant JM, BartolomeiMS, Coutifaris C, Garcia BA, Berger SL. Comprehensive analysis of histonepost-translational modifications in mouse and human male germ cells. Epigenetics & Chromatin. 2016 Jun 21;9:24. doi: 10.1186/s13072-016-0072-6. eCollection 2016 Jun 21. PubMed PMID: 27330565; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4915177.
H4K44 Acetylation Facilitates Chromatin Accessibility During Meiosis
Hu J, Donahue G, Dorsey J, Govin J, Yuan Z, Garcia BA, Shah PP, Berger SL.H4K44 Acetylation Facilitates Chromatin Accessibility during Meiosis. Cell Rep.2015 Dec 1;13(9):1772-80. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.10.070. Epub 2015 Nov 25.PubMed PMID: 26628362; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4793274.
Characterization of BRD4 During Mammalian Postmeiotic Sperm DevelopmentBryant JM, Donahue G, Wang X, Meyer-Ficca M, Luense LJ, Weller AH, Bartolomei MS, Blobel GA, Meyer RG, Garcia BA, Berger SL. Characterization of BRD4 during mammalian postmeiotic sperm development. Mol Cell Biol. 2015 Apr;35(8):1433-48. doi: 10.1128/MCB.01328-14. Epub 2015 Feb 17. PubMed PMID: 25691659; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4372693.