Akihiko Sakashita

Paternal folate deficiency reveals meiosis as a metabolic sensing window in the male germline

The paper shows that paternal folate deficiency affects meiotic chromatin and epigenomic changes in the male germline, particularly at CGI-associated promoters.

REFEE Shapes ZGA Through Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Repetitive RNAs in Mouse Embryos

This study identifies REFEE as a post-transcriptional regulator of repetitive RNAs that influences zygotic genome activation in mouse embryos.

KRAB-zinc-finger proteins regulate endogenous retroviruses to sculpt germline transcriptomes and genome evolution

This study shows that KRAB-zinc-finger proteins regulate endogenous retroviruses in the germline, shaping transcriptomes and genome evolution through evolutionary conserved mechanisms.

Site-specific DNA demethylation during spermatogenesis precedes nucleosome retention in mouse sperm

The paper shows that DNA demethylation during spermatogenesis occurs before nucleosome retention in sperm, contributing to epigenetic reprogramming for embryonic gene regulation.

Obox4 promotes zygotic genome activation upon loss of Dux

The paper identifies Obox4 as a redundant transcription factor that promotes zygotic genome activation in mouse embryos, compensating for the loss of Dux.

CTCF-mediated 3D chromatin predetermines the gene expression program in the male germline

This study shows that CTCF-mediated 3D chromatin structure pre-establishes gene expression programs required for spermatogenesis by forming meiosis-specific super-enhancers and regulating chromatin loops.

Transcription of Murine Endogenous Retrovirus MERVL Is Required for Progression of Development in Early Preimplantation Embryos

This study shows that MERVL RNA is essential for proper regulation of the host transcriptome and chromatin state during early mouse embryo development, with knockdown causing embryonic lethality.

Meiosis-specific ZFP541 repressor complex promotes meiotic prophase exit during spermatogenesis

This study identifies a ZFP541-KCTD19 repressor complex that promotes meiotic prophase exit in spermatogenesis by suppressing transcriptional regulators and chromatin modifiers.

Endogenous retroviruses drive species-specific germline transcriptomes in mammals

This study identifies endogenous retroviruses as drivers of species-specific germline transcriptomes in mammals, particularly through their role in gene activation and enhancer function in spermatogenesis.

Super-enhancer switching drives a burst in germline gene expression at the mitosis-to-meiosis transition

The paper shows that super-enhancer switching drives bursts in germline gene expression during the mitosis-to-meiosis transition in testis.

Stepwise approach to oocyte depletion in Sry mutated XY female mice

This study investigates germ cell depletion in XY sex-reversed females by analyzing transcriptomes of primordial germ cells and oocytes, revealing developmental disruptions and gene expression changes.