Disruption of , a Gene Encoding -Inositol Phosphate Synthase, Causes Male Sterility in .

Inositol is a precursor for the phospholipid membrane component phosphatidylinositol (PI), involved in signal transduction pathways, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and osmoregulation. Alterations of inositol metabolism have been implicated in human reproductive issues, the therapeutic effects of drugs used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder, spinal cord defects, and diseases including diabetes and Alzheimer's. The sole known inositol synthetic enzyme is -inositol synthase (MIPS), and the homolog in is encoded by the gene.