# Regulatory mechanisms of meiotic entry and progression

> **NIH NIH R35** · RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J. · 2022 · $386,791

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Meiosis is the process by which a diploid cell gives rise to haploid gamete cells and is essential for sexual
reproduction. This conserved cell division program is driven by a specialized transcriptome, which supports
complex chromosome behaviors that are integrated with cell cycle progression. Errors in meiotic chromosome
behaviors are a major cause of aneuploidy, and thus of miscarriage and birth anomalies in humans. My research
program aims to understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms of meiosis, and of the processes that
regulate gene expression and chromosome behaviors in the germline. We use mouse to explore these critical
aspects of cell biology. Our current research primarily focuses on two pathways that regulate meiosis, one cell-
autonomous and one non-cell-autonomous, as outlined below:
· The switch from mitosis to meiosis is a critical cell fate transition that involves complete remodeling of the
transcriptome, but little is known about the mechanisms regulating this change in mammals. Our recent work
identified an essential pathway that controls the mitosis-to-meiosis switch. In this pathway, the RNA helicase
YTHDC2, along with its binding partner MEIOC, regulates gene expression post-transcriptionally via direct
interaction with RNA targets. How this regulation is accomplished remains unclear, however. Powerful methods
for mapping genome-wide protein-RNA interactions and innovative structure-function mutants will be exploited
to define how this machinery controls gene expression, how it recognizes and engages RNA, and how it
intersects with other cellular machinery to regulate meiotic progression.
· Metazoan cells undergo meiosis in a syncytium, sharing cytoplasm and RNA between cells. This is an
essential feature of meiosis, as disruption of cytoplasmic sharing by genetic ablation of the intercellular bridges
connecting meiotic cells leads to meiotic failure and infertility in male mice. However, the underlying functional
significance of cytoplasmic sharing via intercellular bridges is poorly understood. Recent advances inform
hypotheses about the roles of cytoplasmic sharing in regulating gene expression and meiotic chromosome
dynamics. We will leverage advances in microscopy and single-cell genomics to test these and to determine the
roles of this striking, evolutionarily conserved meiotic feature.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10499822
- **Project number:** 1R35GM147130-01
- **Recipient organization:** RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J.
- **Principal Investigator:** Devanshi Jain
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $386,791
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10499822

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10499822, Regulatory mechanisms of meiotic entry and progression (1R35GM147130-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10499822. Licensed CC0.

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