DNA/RNA helicase DHX36 is required for late stages of spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is a highly complex developmental process that typically consists of mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. DNA/RNA helicase DHX36, a unique guanine-quadruplex (G4) resolvase, play crucial roles in a variety of biological processes. We previously showed that DHX36 is highly expressed in male germ cells with the highest level in zygotene spermatocytes. Here, we delete Dhx36 in advanced germ cells with Stra8-GFPCre, and found that a Dhx36 deficiency in the differentiated spermatogonia leads to meiotic defects and abnormal spermiogenesis. These defects in late stages of spermatogenesis arise from dysregulated transcription of G4-harboring genes, which are required for meiosis. Thus, this study reveals that Dhx36 play crucial roles in the late stages of spermatogenesis. Overall design: We performed comparative gene expression profiling analysis using data obtained from RNA-seq of zygotene spermatocytes isolated from wild-type and Dhx36 mutant spermatogenesis synchronous mice.