Zfp1, a Cys2His2 zinc finger protein is required for meiosis initiation in Tetrahymena thermophila

Meiosis is an important and highly conserved process that occurs during eukaryotic sexual reproduction. Diverse mechanisms are responsible for meiosis initiation among eukaryotes, and transcription factors have been established to have an important role in many species. However, the specific function of transcription factors in initiating meiosis in ciliates is unknown. Here we show that a putative Cys2His2 zinc finger-containing transcription factor encoded by the ZFP1 gene is specifically expressed during sexual reproduction in Tetrahymena thermophila. Meiosis is not initiated in the cells lacking ZFP1. Transcriptome sequencing analyses reveal that Zfp1 is required for the expression of many meiosis-specific genes. Our results indicate that Zfp1 could be a transcriptional activator required for meiosis initiation in T. thermophila.

Automated summary

Meiosis, an important process in eukaryotic sexual reproduction, is initiated by diverse mechanisms involving transcription factors in many species. This study reveals that a putative Cys2His2 zinc finger-containing transcription factor, encoded by the ZFP1 gene, is specifically expressed during sexual reproduction in Tetrahymena thermophila. Cells lacking ZFP1 fail to initiate meiosis, and transcriptome analysis indicates that Zfp1 is required for the expression of meiosis-specific genes. These findings suggest that Zfp1 may act as a transcriptional activator for meiosis initiation in T. thermophila.