Ssm 1 b expression and function in germ cells of adult mice and in early embryos † Running head : Ssm 1 b in mouse germ cells and early embryos

Sarayu Ratnam , Grazyna Bozek, Christopher Payne, Shannon Gallagher, Terence Martin and Ursula Storb 1 Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA 2 Departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA 3 Human Molecular Genetics Program, Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA * Corresponding authors: Ursula Storb Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology CLSC 145 920, E 58 St Chicago, IL, 60637 Email: stor@uchicago.edu Phone: 773-702-4440 Sarayu Ratnam Human Molecular Genetics Program Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute 2430 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL, 60614 Email: sratnam@luriechildrens.org Phone: 773-755-6728