The role of the Cer1 transposon in horizontal transfer of transgenerational memory

Moore, Rebecca S.; Kaletsky, Rachel; Lesnik, Chen; Cota, Vanessa; Blackman, Edith; Parsons, Lance; Gitai, Zemer; Murphy, Coleen T.

doi:10.1016/j.cell.2021.07.022

Cited by 48 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…This supports the notion that the envelope may be functional (12). The preserved biological activities of Atlas G C suggest these activities could have cellular functions in health and disease, as reported for a small but increasing number of ERV env and gag gene products (1,3,5,6). RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data for A. ceylanicum (69) suggest that Atlas and some other complete belpaoviruses are transcribed, with transcript abundance varying across developmental stages (fig.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

“…For example, syncytins, which drive cell-cell fusion of trophoblasts during placental development, are encoded by ERV envelope glycoprotein ( env ) genes ( 3 , 5 ). Another recent example is the Gag capsid protein encoded by the Caenorhabditis elegans Cer1 retrotransposon, which encapsidates small noncoding RNAs into nucleocapsids that can transfer RNAs conferring learned pathogen avoidance behavior from infected parents to naïve progeny ( 6 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A bioactive phlebovirus-like envelope protein in a hookworm endogenous virus

et al. 2022

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Endogenous viral elements (EVEs), accounting for 15% of our genome, serve as a genetic reservoir from which new genes can emerge. Nematode EVEs are particularly diverse and informative of virus evolution. We identify Atlas virus—an intact retrovirus-like EVE in the human hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum , with an envelope protein genetically related to G N -G C glycoproteins from the family Phenuiviridae. A cryo-EM structure of Atlas G C reveals a class II viral membrane fusion protein fold not previously seen in retroviruses. Atlas G C has the structural hallmarks of an active fusogen. Atlas G C trimers insert into membranes with endosomal lipid compositions and low pH. When expressed on the plasma membrane, Atlas G C has cell-cell fusion activity. With its preserved biological activities, Atlas G C has the potential to acquire a cellular function. Our work reveals structural plasticity in reverse-transcribing RNA viruses.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A bioactive phlebovirus-like envelope protein in a hookworm endogenous virus

et al. 2022

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“…A recent study in C. elegans demonstrated the involvement of virus‐like particles (VLPs) encoded by the retrotransposon Cer‐1 in small RNA‐mediated learned pathogen avoidance and transgenerational inheritance and the horizontal transfer of the avoidance phenotype on exposure to Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA‐14. [ 86 ] Thus, VLPs might also constitute another way of transferring small RNA‐mediated epigenetic information. In addition to dsRNA, C. elegans vesicles might also transfer small RNAs and other RNAi intermediate molecules such as pUGylated RNAs from the soma to the germline.…”

Section: Transfer Of Small Rnas Of Somatic Origin From Germline To Em...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, the epigenetic inheritance of neuronal traits, such as the transmission of the learned avoidance of a pathogenic bacterium in C. elegans, is controlled by a germline small RNA pathway. [86,123,124] A bacteria encoded small RNA is processed in the intestine and can produce gene expression changes in the neuron. [124] The germline piRNA pathway controls the inheritance of this phenotype for up to four generations.…”

Section: The Transmission Of Acquired Traits By Germline Inherited Sm...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Inheritance and maintenance of small RNA‐mediated epigenetic effects

et al. 2022

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Heritable traits are predominantly encoded within genomic DNA, but it is now appreciated that epigenetic information is also inherited through DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small RNAs. Several examples of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of traits have been documented in plants and animals. These include even the inheritance of traits acquired through the soma during the life of an organism, implicating the transfer of epigenetic information via the germline to the next generation. Small RNAs appear to play a significant role in carrying epigenetic information across generations. This review focuses on how epigenetic information in the form of small RNAs is transmitted from the germline to the embryos through the gametes. We also consider how inherited epigenetic information is maintained across generations in a small RNA-dependent and independent manner. Finally, we discuss how epigenetic traits acquired from the soma can be inherited through small RNAs.

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“…This horizontally-transferred avoidance behavior was found to be transgenerationally inherited by four successive generations. Scientists showed that Cer1 retrotransposon virus-like particles in the homogenized worm lysate were required this horizontal transfer and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance [46].…”

Section: Small Noncoding Rnasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inheritance of Acquired Traits in Insects and Other Animals and the Epigenetic Mechanisms That Break the Weismann Barrier

Gowri

Monteiro

2021

JDB

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The credibility of the Weismann barrier has come into question. Several studies in various animal systems, from mice to worms, have shown that novel environmental stimuli can generate an altered developmental or behavioral trait that can be transmitted to offspring of the following generation. Recently, insects have become ideal models to study the inheritance of acquired traits. This is because insects can be reared in high numbers at low cost, they have short generation times and produce abundant offspring. Numerous studies have shown that an insect can modify its phenotype in response to a novel stimulus to aid its survival, and also that this modified phenotypic trait can be inherited by its offspring. Epigenetic mechanisms are likely at play but, most studies do not address the mechanisms that underlie the inheritance of acquired traits in insects. Here we first review general epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone acetylation and small noncoding RNAs that have been implicated in the transmission of acquired traits in animals, then we focus on the few insect studies in which these mechanisms have been investigated.

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The role of the Cer1 transposon in horizontal transfer of transgenerational memory

Cited by 48 publications

References 58 publications

A bioactive phlebovirus-like envelope protein in a hookworm endogenous virus

A bioactive phlebovirus-like envelope protein in a hookworm endogenous virus

Inheritance and maintenance of small RNA‐mediated epigenetic effects

Inheritance of Acquired Traits in Insects and Other Animals and the Epigenetic Mechanisms That Break the Weismann Barrier

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