mei4 — Schizosaccharomyces pombe 972h-

Summary

SPBC32H8.11 (mei4) on chromosome 2 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe encodes a forkhead domain-containing transcription factor with both DNA-binding transcription repressor and activator activities specific to RNA polymerase II. The protein localises to the nucleus and chromatin, and is a component of the M/G1 phase-specific MADS box-forkhead transcription factor complex. This gene is associated with the meiotic cell cycle, including entry into meiosis, meiotic G2 and S phases, meiosis II, premeiotic DNA replication, karyogamy, and spore wall assembly. It is also linked to regulated exocytosis, mRNA stabilization, RNA surveillance, and positive regulation of ribosomal protein gene transcription. Additionally, mei4 is associated with meiotic drive and the regulation of cell cycle switching between mitotic and meiotic phases. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to loss of pathogenicity and traits such as germination rate.