A MEI1 homozygous missense mutation associated with meiotic arrest in a consanguineous family

Hum Reprod. 2018 Jun 1;33(6):1034-1037. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dey073.

Abstract

Although meiotic arrest in males is observed in about 25% of azoospermic patients, pure homogeneous arrest in all seminiferous tubules is less frequent, and may be due to mutation of a single gene. However, given the large number of genes involved in meiosis, this gives rises to extensive genetic heterogeneity. Only two genetic abnormalities have been reported on a regular basis: the X-linked exonic TEX11 deletion, and the AZFb microdeletion on the Y chromosome. Other single gene defects were private and found in consanguineous families. Here, we report on a homozygous missense mutation in the gene coding for meiotic double-stranded break formation protein 1 (MEI1; c.C3307T:p.R1103W) observed in two brothers (from a consanguineous Tunisian family) with non-obstructive azoospermia and meiotic arrest. A fertile brother was heterozygous for the mutation. All the queried databases predicted that this mutation is damaging, and it has previously been reported that Mei1 knock-out is associated with meiotic arrest in a murine model. Hence, meiotic arrest in the two brothers was probably caused by an alteration in a gene known to be fundamental for chromosome synapsis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Azoospermia / congenital*
  • Azoospermia / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Consanguinity*
  • Exome Sequencing
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meiosis / genetics*
  • Mutation, Missense / genetics*
  • Pedigree
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Siblings
  • Tunisia

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • MEI1 protein, human
  • Proteins

Supplementary concepts

  • Arrest of spermatogenesis