piRNAs mediate posttranscriptional retroelement silencing and localization to pi-bodies in the <i>Drosophila</i> germline

Lim, Ai Khim; Tao, Liheng; Kai, Toshie

doi:10.1083/jcb.200904063

Cited by 96 publications

(97 citation statements)

References 54 publications

(72 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In the testes, these two proteins associate with other piRNA pathway components including Vasa (Vas), Armitage (Armi), and Tudor (Tud) in large electron-dense perinuclear bodies, dubbed piNG-bodies, which are thought to regulate the processing and/or targeting of piRNAs to transposable elements via sequence homology (Lim and Kai 2007;Lim et al 2009;Nishida et al 2009;Kibanov et al 2011). The localization of both Aub and AGO3 to this perinuclear region is codependent; loss of one protein through mutation results in mislocalization of the other (Cox et al 2000;Brennecke et al 2007;Nishida et al 2007;Li et al 2009;Nagao et al 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mutations to the piRNA Pathway ComponentAubergineEnhance Meiotic Drive of Segregation Distorter inDrosophila melanogaster

Gell

Reenan

2013

Genetics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Diploid sexual reproduction involves segregation of allelic pairs, ensuring equal representation of genotypes in the gamete pool. Some genes, however, are able to "cheat" the system by promoting their own transmission. The Segregation distorter (Sd) locus in Drosophila melanogaster males is one of the best-studied examples of this type of phenomenon. In this system the presence of Sd on one copy of chromosome 2 results in dysfunction of the non-Sd-bearing (Sd + ) sperm and almost exclusive transmission of Sd to the next generation. The mechanism by which Sd wreaks such selective havoc has remained elusive. However, its effect requires a target locus on chromosome 2 known as Responder (Rsp). The Rsp locus comprises repeated copies of a satellite DNA sequence and Rsp copy number correlates with sensitivity to Sd. Under distorting conditions during spermatogenesis, nuclei with chromosomes containing greater than several hundred Rsp repeats fail to condense chromatin and are eliminated. Recently, Rsp sequences were found as small RNAs in association with Argonaute family proteins Aubergine (Aub) and Argonaute3 (AGO3). These proteins are involved in a germline-specific RNAi mechanism known as the Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway, which specifically suppresses transposon activation in the germline. Here, we evaluate the role of piRNAs in segregation distortion by testing the effects of mutations to piRNA pathway components on distortion. Further, we specifically targeted mutations to the aub locus of a Segregation Distorter (SD) chromosome, using ends-out homologous recombination. The data herein demonstrate that mutations to piRNA pathway components act as enhancers of SD. E VOLUTION of sexual organisms relies on the faithful segregation and transmission of alleles from one generation to the next, allowing unbiased exposure of these alleles to natural selection. Nevertheless, nature contains multiple examples of genes that violate this basic tenet of Mendelian inheritance and act selfishly to ensure their own propagation (Lyttle 1991). One such phenomenon, known as meiotic drive, occurs when one of two alleles alters the gametic ratio to enhance its own representation in the next generation, violating Mendel's first law (Sandler and Novitski 1957). First discovered more than 50 years ago, Segregation Distorter (SD) in Drosophila melanogaster is one of the beststudied examples of this type of "selfish" genetic behavior Temin et al. 1991;Kusano et al. 2003).Segregation Distorter chromosomes contain a dominant gain-of-function mutation that strongly favors the transmission of the SD chromosome from [SD/SD + ] heterozygous males by causing dysfunction of wild-type (SD + ) sperm Sandler and Hiraizumi 1960b;Hartl et al. 1967;Tokuyasu et al. 1977;Temin et al. 1991). While the SD/SD + male transmits the SD chromosome to as many as 99% of his progeny, the gametes of heterozygous females show normal Mendelian segregation Burt and Trivers 2008;Larracuente and Presgraves 2012). The Segregation distorter (Sd) locus w...

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mutations to the piRNA Pathway ComponentAubergineEnhance Meiotic Drive of Segregation Distorter inDrosophila melanogaster

Gell

Reenan

2013

Genetics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Thus, mRNA decay blocks could also affect germ granules and neuronal transport granules, with which P-bodies also physically interact. 14,15 Notably, various mRNA degradative enzymes are found in mRNP granules besides P-bodies, such as Xrn1 in stress granules 11 and Drosophila/mouse spermatid nuage, 65 Dcp1/ Dcp2 in various germ granules, [66][67][68] and several Argonaute proteins with endonuclease activity in stress granules, 69 and various germ granules. [70][71][72][73] Whether mRNA degradation occurs in mRNP granules besides P-bodies remains poorly studied.…”

Section: Mrnp Granules Assemble Via Common Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mRNP granules

2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Since foetal prospermatogonia in mouse , Shoji et al 2009), but also germ line cells in C. elegans (Gallo et al 2008) and Drosophila (Lim et al 2009) seem to contain processing body-like granules in addition to the 'traditional' germ granules, it is possible that the interplay between different cytoplasmic granules is of general importance for many RNA regulation pathways. Interestingly, pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids contain a distinct granule in the cytoplasm that is easily distinguishable from the CB under electron microscopy.…”

Section: Pachytene Pirnasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chromatoid body and small RNAs in male germ cells

Meikar¹,

Ros²,

Korhonen³

et al. 2011

Reproduction

144

154

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The chromatoid body (CB) is a germ granule in the cytoplasm of postmeiotic haploid round spermatids that is loaded with RNA and RNAbinding proteins. Following the discovery of small non-coding RNA-mediated gene regulation and the identification of PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) that have crucial roles in germ line development, the function of the CB has slowly begun to be revealed. Male germ cells utilise small RNAs to control the complex and specialised process of sperm production. Several microRNAs have been identified during spermatogenesis. In addition, a high number of piRNAs are present both in embryonic and postnatal male germ cells, with their expression being impressively induced in late meiotic cells and haploid round spermatids. At postmeiotic stage of germ cell differentiation, the CB accumulates piRNAs and proteins of piRNA machinery, as well as several other proteins involved in distinct RNA regulation pathways. All existing evidence suggests a role for the CB in mRNA regulation and small RNA-mediated gene control, but the mechanisms remain uncharacterised. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge of the CB and its association with small RNA pathways.

show abstract

piRNAs mediate posttranscriptional retroelement silencing and localization to pi-bodies in the Drosophila germline

Cited by 96 publications

References 54 publications

Mutations to the piRNA Pathway ComponentAubergineEnhance Meiotic Drive of Segregation Distorter inDrosophila melanogaster

Mutations to the piRNA Pathway ComponentAubergineEnhance Meiotic Drive of Segregation Distorter inDrosophila melanogaster

mRNP granules

Chromatoid body and small RNAs in male germ cells

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About