Function
Protein phosphatase PPH-4.1 plays a crucial role in both meiosis and early embryonic mitosis. During spermatocyte meiosis and the initial stages of embryonic mitosis, it regulates centrosome maturation, ultimately impacting spindle formation through the recruitment of pericentriolar material (PCM) components. During oocyte meiosis I, PPH-4.1 regulates meiotic chromosome dynamics, including synapsis-independent chromosome pairing, restriction of synapsis to homologous chromosomes, programmed DNA double-strand break initiation, and crossover formation leading to chiasma formation. In oocyte meiosis II, PPH-4.1, possibly in conjunction with the regulatory subunit ppfr-1, may regulate microtubule severing by dephosphorylating and activating mei-1, a component of the katanin microtubule severing complex.