1700102P08Rik, also named male pachynema-specific (MAPS) protein, is a testis-specific gene conserved in human and mouse. It is essential for spermatogenesis, especially for pachynema progression in spermatocytes [1,3]. It is involved in the process of male germ cell development and its proper function is crucial for male fertility. Gene knockout mouse models have been key in studying its function [1-3].

Knockout mouse models generated by CRISPR-Cas9 showed that 1700102P08Rik knockout male mice were infertile with smaller testis and epididymis, while female knockout mice had normal fertility. Spermatogenesis in male knockout mice was arrested at the spermatocyte stage, with no sperm in the epididymis, and deletion of this gene caused apoptosis in the testis. It was also found to be down-regulated in spermatocyte arrest in men [1]. Additionally, FuncProFinder, a machine-learning-based tool, predicted and validated 1700102P08Rik as a meiosis-essential gene based on spermatogenesis proteome dynamics [2]. Mice lacking the protein encoded by 1700102P08Rik (Maps-/-) suffered from pachytene arrest and spermatocyte death, leading to male infertility. Pubertal Maps-/-spermatocytes had defects in DNA double-strand break repair, crossover formation, and XY body formation, while adult Maps-/-spermatocytes had partially defective crossover and failed pachytene stage progression [3].

In conclusion, 1700102P08Rik is essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility. The gene knockout mouse models have revealed its crucial role in male-specific reproductive processes, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms of male infertility [1-3].