Modulation of Aub-TDRD interactions elucidates piRNA amplification and germplasm formation

Life Sci Alliance. 2020 Dec 29;4(3):e202000912. doi: 10.26508/lsa.202000912. Print 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Aub guided by piRNAs ensures genome integrity by cleaving retrotransposons, and genome propagation by trapping mRNAs to form the germplasm that instructs germ cell formation. Arginines at the N-terminus of Aub (Aub-NTRs) interact with Tudor and other Tudor domain-containing proteins (TDRDs). Aub-TDRD interactions suppress active retrotransposons via piRNA amplification and form germplasm via generation of Aub-Tudor ribonucleoproteins. Here, we show that Aub-NTRs are dispensable for primary piRNA biogenesis but essential for piRNA amplification and that their symmetric dimethylation is required for germplasm formation and germ cell specification but largely redundant for piRNA amplification.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Arginine / metabolism
  • Argonaute Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism*
  • DNA Transposable Elements / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Amplification*
  • Germ Cells / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Ovary / metabolism
  • Peptide Initiation Factors / genetics
  • Peptide Initiation Factors / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics*
  • Tudor Domain / genetics*

Substances

  • Argonaute Proteins
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Peptide Initiation Factors
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • aub protein, Drosophila
  • piwi protein, Drosophila
  • Arginine