Piwi Like Protein 4 (PIWIL4)

PIWIL4 belongs to the Argonaute family of proteins, which function in development and maintenance of germline stem cells.Like all other Argonaute family members, PIWIL4 contains a central PAZ motif and a C-terminal PIWI motif. PCR analysis of adult and fetal tissues detected weak PIWIL4 expression in adult testis.Miwi2-null mice were of normal size and weight and had the expected life span. Homozygous Miwi2-null females were fertile and had no obvious defects.However, Mimi2-deficient males were infertile and showed a meiotic progression defect in early prophase of meiosis I and progressive loss of germ cells with age. Mutant males showed elevated expression of LINE-1 and intracisternal A particle (IAP) element transcripts in germ cell lineages.