RBM46 is essential for gametogenesis and functions in post-transcriptional roles affecting meiotic cohesin subunits

RBM46 is a germ cell-specific RNA-binding protein required for gametogenesis, but the targets and molecular functions of RBM46 remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that RBM46 binds at specific motifs in the 3'UTRs of mRNAs encoding multiple meiotic cohesin subunits and show that RBM46 is required for normal synaptonemal complex formation during meiosis initiation. Using a recently reported, high-resolution technique known as LACE-seq and working with low-input cells, we profiled the targets of RBM46 at single-nucleotide resolution in leptotene and zygotene stage gametes. We found that RBM46 preferentially binds target mRNAs containing GCCUAU/GUUCGA motifs in their 3'UTRs regions. In Rbm46 knockout mice, the RBM46-target cohesin subunits displayed unaltered mRNA levels but had reduced translation, resulting in the failed assembly of axial elements, synapsis disruption, and meiotic arrest. Our study thus provides mechanistic insights into the molecular functions of RBM46 in gametogenesis and illustrates the power of LACE-seq for investigations of RNA-binding protein functions when working with low-abundance input materials.

Venous congestion from brachiocephalic vein stenosis mimicking sclerotic vertebral lesions

@#In central venous obstruction, vertebral marrow enhancement (VME) may be seen secondary to collateral venous flow via the vertebral venous plexus. 1 There are only sporadic case reports on pseudolesions due to collateral enhancement mimicking sclerotic osseous metastasis. This abnormal vertebral enhancement may lead to erroneous diagnosis of sclerotic metastases or suspicious bone lesion which affect the management and prognosis. We describe a case of brachiocephalic vein obstruction-related vertebral body pseudolesions as identified in contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan