Understanding the biology of TEX12 as a centrosomal protein

All cells have to divide to ensure the survival of the organism. There are two main types of cellular division, meiosis and mitosis. For reproduction, cells divide through a specialised process called meiosis which produces cells with half the genetic material. Somatic cells divide by mitosis, where genetic material is maintained at a double copy level and two daughter cells are produced. In mitosis centrosomes play a critical role in organising microtubules and providing polarity required for cellular division. It was previously believed that meiosis differs from mitosis in that centrosomes dissipate in prophase of meiosis in mouse oocytes accompanied by the loss of centrioles and formation of multiple pericentriolar material-containing microtubule organising centres that are involved in spindle assembly instead.

However, recent studies reported that centriole remnants persist in fully grown oocytes. Similarly, we identified centrin-rich clusters at all stages of the meiotic oocyte division. This question is of critical importance as presence of centrosome-like structures in meiosis would not only change our understanding of this process but would also help us understand how first mitotic centrosomes are created. We have identified a novel protein, previously believed to be exclusively meiotic, to be present in both centrosome-like structures in meiosis but also in mitotic centrosomes. This project will focus on defining this novel observation and determining the role of meiotic centrin rich bodies in development.