Dnajb8, a target gene of SOX30, is dispensable for male fertility in mice

Background. The DNAJ family of molecular chaperones maintains protein homeostasis in mitotic and postmeiotic cells, especially germ cells. Recently, we found that the transcription factor SOX30 initiates transcription of Dnajb8 during late meiosis and spermiogenesis in mouse testes. Methods. We used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate Dnajb8 mutant mice and analyze the phenotype of the Dnajb8 mutants. Results. Although Dnajb8 is an evolutionarily conserved gene, it is not essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility. We provide this phenotypic information, which could prevent duplicative work by other groups.