减数分裂过程中，同源染色体之间经历着配对、联会和重组等一系列重要事件，对这一过程关键基因的发现与功能研究，有助于我们更好地认识减数分裂调控的分子机制。在之前的研究中，我们获得了一个水稻减数分裂粗线期停滞突变体mep1，通过图位克隆的方法分离了候选基因。该基因编码一个植物特有的功能未知蛋白，具有保守的DNA结合结构域。本课题拟在前期工作的基础上，通过染色体观察和免疫荧光染色实验、双突变体分析等工作深入研究MEP1的功能，阐明MEP1在调控减数分裂粗线期中所起的作用；通过染色质免疫共沉淀技术，结合PCR实验和大规模测序，分析受MEP1调控的下游减数分裂基因。研究结果不仅将很好地阐明MEP1蛋白的生物学功能，也会进一步完善植物减数分裂调控的基因网络。

Meiotic prophase I has been recognized as the crucial stage of meiosis, during which homologous chromosomes pair, synapse, and recombine. Identification and functional analysis of meiosis-specific new genes will contribute to better understanding the molecular mechanism of rice meiosis. Previously, we obtained a rice sterile mutant mep1. In mep1 meiocytes, meiosis was arrested at the pachytene stage and chromosomes frequently show a synapsed morphology. We isolated the candidate gene MEP1 by map-based cloning approach. MEP1 encodes a plant-specific unknown protein, which contains a conserved DNA-binding domain. In this proposal, we are going to perform meiotic chromosome observation, immunofluorescence test and double mutant analysis to investigate the MEP1 function in regulating the pachytene progression. We intend to analyze the downstream genes of MEP1 by ChIP-PCR assay and ChIP-seq assay. Those findings can not only to elucidate the biological function of MEP1 protein, but also further improve the meiotic regulatory network in rice.