AUTHOR=Wang Lin , Yong Yan-Ling , Wang Kun-Kun , Xie Yun-Xia , Qian Ying-Chen , Zhou Feng-Mei , Qiu Jian-Ge , Jiang Bing-Hua 

TITLE=MKRN2 knockout causes male infertility through decreasing STAT1, SIX4, and TNC expression

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2023.1138096

DOI=10.3389/fendo.2023.1138096

ISSN=1664-2392

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Makorin-2</italic> (<italic>Mkrn2</italic>) is an evolutionarily conserved gene whose biological functions are not fully known. Although recent studies have shed insights on the potential causes of male infertility, its underlining mechanisms still remain to be elucidated. We developed a <italic>Mrkn2</italic> knockout mice model to study this gene and found that deletion of <italic>Mkrn2</italic> in mice led to male infertility. Interestingly, the expression level of signal transducer and activator of the transcription (STAT)1 was significantly decreased in MKRN2 knockout testis and MEF cells. Co-IP assay showed an interaction between MKRN2 and STAT1. Moreover, our results further indicated that MKRN2 regulated the expression level of SIX4 and tenascin C (TNC) <italic>via</italic> the EBF transcription factor 2 (EBF2) in mice. The results of our study will provide insights into a new mechanism of male infertility.</p>