ABSTRACT

The two human protamines, PRM1, PRM2 and transition protein TNP2 orchestrate the molecular restructuring of the male haploid genome during the final stage of spermatogenesis.  The genes encoding these three proteins exist as a single chromatin domain flanked by two male, germ cell-specific MARs. Previously, we have shown that the temporal regulation of the PRM1→ PRM2→TNP2 domain is facilitated by the formation of a DNase I sensitive, potentiated conformation at the pachytene stage, prior to the haploid expression of the locus in round spermatids.  Extending this analysis, we present the preliminary identification of several DNase I HS sites in association with both the  5’ and 3’ protamine MARs.   A discussion of these results and their functional significance is presented.