Molecular basis of haploid male genome programming – EpiSperm4

The differentiation of haploid male germ cells constitutes an essential step in the preparation of a resistant and transportable genome. Paradoxically, despite its vital importance in the life cycle of many species, this process of post-meiotic genome preparation has remained one of the most obscure biological phenomena. This program follows three successful previous ANR programs, EpiSperm1, EpiSperm2 and EpiSperm3, all aiming at unravelling the molecular basis of these post-meiotic genome reorganizations. The two work-packages of Episperm4 mostly focus on the mechanisms controlling the genome-wide transitions in the DNA packaging structures that shift from a nucleosome-based organization into a protamine-based structure, with a particular emphasis on the molecular, functional and structural characterization of DNA packaging structures that are generated during these transitions.