"Spermatogenesis is a specialized differentiation process in which male germ cells undergo meiosis to form motile sperm. Interruptions in spermatogenesis, resulting in immobile, irregular, or lower concentrations of sperm, lead to male infertility. Mutations in genes involved in spermatogenesis have been shown to cause male infertility. RNF216 is a member of the RING finger domain family of E3 ubiquitin ligases that are involved in protein degradation. The physiological function of RNF216 in mammals in unknown. Here we show that RNF216 is highly expressed in the mouse testes. Targeted deletion of RNF216 in mice reveal that RNF216 is required for spermatogenesis and male fertility. However, RNF216 is not essential for animal viability or fertility in females. We further demonstrate that RNF216 exhibits E3 ubiquitin ligase activity in vitro. These findings underscore a potential function of RNF216 mediated protein degradation in mammalian germ cell development and male fertility."--Page ii.
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