MAEL

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Description

The MAEL (maelstrom spermatogenic transposon silencer) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 1.

MAEL plays a crucial role in spermatogenesis by suppressing transposable elements (TEs), preventing their movement and ensuring the integrity of germ cells. It achieves this through the piRNA metabolic process. During meiosis, MAEL forms complexes with piRNAs and Piwi proteins, which regulate the methylation and repression of TEs. Its association with piP-bodies suggests a role in the secondary piRNA pathway. MAEL is also essential for the proper localization of germ-cell factors to the meiotic nuage.

MAEL is also known as CT128, SPATA35.

Associated Diseases

• male infertility with teratozoospermia due to single gene mutation
• partial chromosome Y deletion
• nonpapillary renal cell carcinoma
• cancer
• spermatogenic failures 50
• spermatogenic failure 25
• spermatogenic failure, X-linked, 2
• congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens
• spermatogenic failure 63
• spermatogenic failure 73
• spermatogenic failure 74
• spermatogenic failure 61
• spermatogenic failure 72