Synaptonemal Complex Central Element Protein 1 (SYCE1)

Completion of meiosis in mammals depends on the formation of the synaptonemal complex (SC), a tripartite structure that physically links homologous chromosomes during prophase I. In a search for components of the meiotic machinery, Costa et al. (2005) used expression profiling to find genes that are transcribed in mouse testes between postpartum days 7 and 11 and that differed between normal animals and infertile Dazla mutants, which do not form spermatozoa. They identified 2 such genes, which they designated Syce1 and Cesc1 (SYCE2). Both genes have orthologs in other mammals, including humans. Syce1 encodes a deduced 329-amino acid nonglobular protein with a series of loops and helices, including predicted coiled-coil regions. Northern blot analysis detected testis-specific expression of Syce1.