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Vrettos N, Oppelt J, Zoch A, Sgourdou P, Yoshida H, Song B, Fink R, O’Carroll D, Mourelatos Z. MIWI N-terminal arginines orchestrate generation of functional pachytene piRNAs and spermiogenesis. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:6558-6570. [PMID: 38520410 PMCID: PMC11194079 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
N-terminal arginine (NTR) methylation is a conserved feature of PIWI proteins, which are central components of the PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway. The significance and precise function of PIWI NTR methylation in mammals remains unknown. In mice, PIWI NTRs bind Tudor domain containing proteins (TDRDs) that have essential roles in piRNA biogenesis and the formation of the chromatoid body. Using mouse MIWI (PIWIL1) as paradigm, we demonstrate that the NTRs are essential for spermatogenesis through the regulation of transposons and gene expression. The loss of TDRD5 and TDRKH interaction with MIWI results in attenuation of piRNA amplification. We find that piRNA amplification is necessary for transposon control and for sustaining piRNA levels including select, nonconserved, pachytene piRNAs that target specific mRNAs required for spermatogenesis. Our findings support the notion that the vast majority of pachytene piRNAs are dispensable, acting as self-serving genetic elements that rely for propagation on MIWI piRNA amplification. MIWI-NTRs also mediate interactions with TDRD6 that are necessary for chromatoid body compaction. Furthermore, MIWI-NTRs promote stabilization of spermiogenic transcripts that drive nuclear compaction, which is essential for sperm formation. In summary, the NTRs underpin the diversification of MIWI protein function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Vrettos
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Neuropathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jan Oppelt
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Neuropathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ansgar Zoch
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Paraskevi Sgourdou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Neuropathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Haruka Yoshida
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Brian Song
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Neuropathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ryan Fink
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Neuropathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dónal O’Carroll
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Zissimos Mourelatos
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Neuropathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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2
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Li Y, Wang K, Liu W, Zhang Y. The potential emerging role of piRNA/PIWI complex in virus infection. Virus Genes 2024:10.1007/s11262-024-02078-3. [PMID: 38833149 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-024-02078-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
P-element-induced wimpy testis-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), a class of small noncoding RNAs with about 24-32 nucleotides, often interact with PIWI proteins to form a piRNA/PIWI complex that could influence spermiogenesis, transposon silencing, epigenetic regulation, etc. PIWI proteins have a highly conserved function in a variety of species and are usually expressed in germ cells. However, increasing evidence has revealed the important role of the piRNA/PIWI complex in the occurrence and prognosis of various human diseases and suggests its potential application in the diagnosis and treatment of related diseases, becoming a prominent marker for these human diseases. Recent studies have confirmed that piRNA/PIWI complexes or piRNAs are abnormally expressed in some viral infections, effecting disease progression and viral replication. In this study, we reviewed the association between the piRNA/PIWI complex and several human disease-associated viruses, including human papillomavirus, human immunodeficiency virus, human rhinovirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, respiratory syncytial virus, and herpes simplex virus type 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zibo Central Hospital, 54 Gongqingtuan Road, Zibo, 255036, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zibo Central Hospital, 54 Gongqingtuan Road, Zibo, 255036, China
| | - Wen Liu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zibo Central Hospital, 54 Gongqingtuan Road, Zibo, 255036, China.
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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3
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Vrettos N, Oppelt J, Zoch A, Sgourdou P, Yoshida H, Song B, Fink R, O’Carroll D, Mourelatos Z. MIWI arginines orchestrate generation of functional pachytene piRNAs and spermiogenesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.31.573779. [PMID: 38260298 PMCID: PMC10802271 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.31.573779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
N-terminal arginine (NTR) methylation is a conserved feature of PIWI proteins, which are central components of the PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway. The significance and precise function of PIWI NTR methylation in mammals remains unknown. In mice, PIWI NTRs bind Tudor domain containing proteins (TDRDs) that have essential roles in piRNA biogenesis and the formation of the chromatoid body. Using mouse MIWI (PIWIL1) as paradigm, we demonstrate that the NTRs are essential for spermatogenesis through the regulation of transposons and gene expression. Surprisingly, the loss of TDRD5 and TDRKH interaction with MIWI results in defective piRNA amplification, rather than an expected failure of piRNA biogenesis. We find that piRNA amplification is necessary for both transposon control and for sustaining levels of select, nonconserved, pachytene piRNAs that target specific mRNAs required for spermatogenesis. Our findings support the notion that the vast majority of pachytene piRNAs are dispensable, acting as autonomous genetic elements that rely for propagation on MIWI piRNA amplification. MIWI-NTRs also mediate interactions with TDRD6 that are necessary for chromatoid body compaction. Furthermore, MIWI-NTRs promote stabilization of spermiogenic transcripts that drive nuclear compaction, which is essential for sperm formation. In summary, the NTRs underpin the diversification of MIWI protein function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Vrettos
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Neuropathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Jan Oppelt
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Neuropathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Ansgar Zoch
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences
| | - Paraskevi Sgourdou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Neuropathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Haruka Yoshida
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences
| | - Brian Song
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Neuropathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Ryan Fink
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Neuropathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Dónal O’Carroll
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Zissimos Mourelatos
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Neuropathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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4
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Dabi Y, Suisse S, Marie Y, Delbos L, Poilblanc M, Descamps P, Golfier F, Jornea L, Forlani S, Bouteiller D, Touboul C, Puchar A, Bendifallah S, Daraï E. New class of RNA biomarker for endometriosis diagnosis: The potential of salivary piRNA expression. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2023; 291:88-95. [PMID: 37857147 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In contrast to miRNA expression, little attention has been given to piwiRNA (piRNA) expression among endometriosis patients. The aim of the present study was to explore the human piRNAome and to investigate a potential piRNA saliva-based diagnostic signature for endometriosis. METHODS Data from the prospective "ENDOmiRNA" study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04728152) were used. Saliva samples from 200 patients were analyzed in order to evaluate human piRNA expression using the piRNA bank. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), barcoding of unique molecular identifiers and both Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) were used. For each piRNA, sensitivity, specificity, and ROC AUC values were calculated for the diagnosis of endometriosis. RESULTS 201 piRNAs were identified, none had an AUC ≥ 0.70, and only three piRNAs (piR-004153, piR001918, piR-020401) had an AUC between ≥ 0.6 and < 0.70. Seven were differentially expressed: piR-004153, piR-001918, piR-020401, piR-012864, piR-017716, piR-020326 and piR-016904. The respective correlation and accuracy to diagnose endometriosis according to the F1-score, sensitivity, specificity, and AUC ranged from 0 to 0.862 %, 0-0.961 %, 0.085-1, and 0.425-0.618. A correlation was observed between the patients' age (≥35 years) and piR-004153 (p = 0.002) and piR-017716 (p = 0.030). Among the 201 piRNAs, four were differentially expressed in patients with and without hormonal treatment: piR-004153 (p = 0.015), piR-020401 (p = 0.001), piR-012864 (p = 0.036) and piR-017716 (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION Our results support the link between piRNAs and endometriosis physiopathology and establish its utility as a potential diagnostic biomarker using saliva samples. Per se, piRNA expression should be analyzed along with the clinical status of a patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohann Dabi
- Department of Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Hôpital Tenon, 4 rue de la Chine, 75020 Paris, France; Clinical Research Group (GRC) Paris 6: Centre Expert Endométriose (C3E), Sorbonne University (GRC6 C3E SU), France.
| | | | - Yannick Marie
- Department of Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine - CHU d'Angers, France
| | - Léa Delbos
- Department of Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine - CHU d'Angers, France; Endometriosis Expert Center - Pays de la Loire, France
| | - Mathieu Poilblanc
- Department of Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Lyon South University Hospital, Lyon Civil Hospices, France; Endometriosis Expert Center - Steering Center of the EndAURA Network, France
| | - Philippe Descamps
- Department of Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine - CHU d'Angers, France; Endometriosis Expert Center - Pays de la Loire, France
| | - Francois Golfier
- Department of Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Lyon South University Hospital, Lyon Civil Hospices, France; Endometriosis Expert Center - Steering Center of the EndAURA Network, France
| | - Ludmila Jornea
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Sylvie Forlani
- Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute - Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR 7225, AP-HP - Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Delphine Bouteiller
- Gentoyping and Sequencing Core Facility, iGenSeq, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47-83 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Cyril Touboul
- Department of Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Hôpital Tenon, 4 rue de la Chine, 75020 Paris, France; Clinical Research Group (GRC) Paris 6: Centre Expert Endométriose (C3E), Sorbonne University (GRC6 C3E SU), France
| | - Anne Puchar
- Department of Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Hôpital Tenon, 4 rue de la Chine, 75020 Paris, France; Clinical Research Group (GRC) Paris 6: Centre Expert Endométriose (C3E), Sorbonne University (GRC6 C3E SU), France
| | - Sofiane Bendifallah
- Department of Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Hôpital Tenon, 4 rue de la Chine, 75020 Paris, France; Clinical Research Group (GRC) Paris 6: Centre Expert Endométriose (C3E), Sorbonne University (GRC6 C3E SU), France
| | - Emile Daraï
- Department of Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Hôpital Tenon, 4 rue de la Chine, 75020 Paris, France; Clinical Research Group (GRC) Paris 6: Centre Expert Endométriose (C3E), Sorbonne University (GRC6 C3E SU), France
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5
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Kalmykova AI, Sokolova OA. Retrotransposons and Telomeres. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:1739-1753. [PMID: 38105195 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923110068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) comprise a significant part of eukaryotic genomes being a major source of genome instability and mutagenesis. Cellular defense systems suppress the TE expansion at all stages of their life cycle. Piwi proteins and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are key elements of the anti-transposon defense system, which control TE activity in metazoan gonads preventing inheritable transpositions and developmental defects. In this review, we discuss various regulatory mechanisms by which small RNAs combat TE activity. However, active transposons persist, suggesting these powerful anti-transposon defense mechanisms have a limited capacity. A growing body of evidence suggests that increased TE activity coincides with genome reprogramming and telomere lengthening in different species. In the Drosophila fruit fly, whose telomeres consist only of retrotransposons, a piRNA-mediated mechanism is required for telomere maintenance and their length control. Therefore, the efficacy of protective mechanisms must be finely balanced in order not only to suppress the activity of transposons, but also to maintain the proper length and stability of telomeres. Structural and functional relationship between the telomere homeostasis and LINE1 retrotransposon in human cells indicates a close link between selfish TEs and the vital structure of the genome, telomere. This relationship, which permits the retention of active TEs in the genome, is reportedly a legacy of the retrotransposon origin of telomeres. The maintenance of telomeres and the execution of other crucial roles that TEs acquired during the process of their domestication in the genome serve as a type of payment for such a "service."
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Affiliation(s)
- Alla I Kalmykova
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334, Russia.
| | - Olesya A Sokolova
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334, Russia
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6
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Loubalova Z, Konstantinidou P, Haase AD. Themes and variations on piRNA-guided transposon control. Mob DNA 2023; 14:10. [PMID: 37660099 PMCID: PMC10474768 DOI: 10.1186/s13100-023-00298-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are responsible for preventing the movement of transposable elements in germ cells and protect the integrity of germline genomes. In this review, we examine the common elements of piRNA-guided silencing as well as the differences observed between species. We have categorized the mechanisms of piRNA biogenesis and function into modules. Individual PIWI proteins combine these modules in various ways to produce unique PIWI-piRNA pathways, which nevertheless possess the ability to perform conserved functions. This modular model incorporates conserved core mechanisms and accommodates variable co-factors. Adaptability is a hallmark of this RNA-based immune system. We believe that considering the differences in germ cell biology and resident transposons in different organisms is essential for placing the variations observed in piRNA biology into context, while still highlighting the conserved themes that underpin this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Loubalova
- National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Parthena Konstantinidou
- National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Astrid D Haase
- National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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7
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Stalker L, Backx AG, Tscherner AK, Russell SJ, Foster RA, LaMarre J. cDNA Cloning of Feline PIWIL1 and Evaluation of Expression in the Testis of the Domestic Cat. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119346. [PMID: 37298298 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The PIWI clade of Argonaute proteins is essential for spermatogenesis in all species examined to date. This protein family binds specific classes of small non-coding RNAs known as PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) which together form piRNA-induced silencing complexes (piRISCs) that are recruited to specific RNA targets through sequence complementarity. These complexes facilitate gene silencing through endonuclease activity and guided recruitment of epigenetic silencing factors. PIWI proteins and piRNAs have been found to play multiple roles in the testis including the maintenance of genomic integrity through transposon silencing and facilitating the turnover of coding RNAs during spermatogenesis. In the present study, we report the first characterization of PIWIL1 in the male domestic cat, a mammalian system predicted to express four PIWI family members. Multiple transcript variants of PIWIL1 were cloned from feline testes cDNA. One isoform shows high homology to PIWIL1 from other mammals, however, the other has characteristics of a "slicer null" isoform, lacking the domain required for endonuclease activity. Expression of PIWIL1 in the male cat appears limited to the testis and correlates with sexual maturity. RNA-immunoprecipitation revealed that feline PIWIL1 binds small RNAs with an average size of 29 nt. Together, these data suggest that the domestic cat has two PIWIL1 isoforms expressed in the mature testis, at least one of which interacts with piRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne Stalker
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Alanna G Backx
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Allison K Tscherner
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Stewart J Russell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Robert A Foster
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W12, Canada
| | - Jonathan LaMarre
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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8
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Wang X, Ramat A, Simonelig M, Liu MF. Emerging roles and functional mechanisms of PIWI-interacting RNAs. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:123-141. [PMID: 36104626 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-022-00528-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that associate with proteins of the PIWI clade of the Argonaute family. First identified in animal germ line cells, piRNAs have essential roles in germ line development. The first function of PIWI-piRNA complexes to be described was the silencing of transposable elements, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the germ line genome. Later studies provided new insights into the functions of PIWI-piRNA complexes by demonstrating that they regulate protein-coding genes. Recent studies of piRNA biology, including in new model organisms such as golden hamsters, have deepened our understanding of both piRNA biogenesis and piRNA function. In this Review, we discuss the most recent advances in our understanding of piRNA biogenesis, the molecular mechanisms of piRNA function and the emerging roles of piRNAs in germ line development mainly in flies and mice, and in infertility, cancer and neurological diseases in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Anne Ramat
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Martine Simonelig
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
| | - Mo-Fang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China. .,Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China. .,School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai, China.
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9
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Liu P, Cuerda-Gil D, Shahid S, Slotkin RK. The Epigenetic Control of the Transposable Element Life Cycle in Plant Genomes and Beyond. Annu Rev Genet 2022; 56:63-87. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-072920-015534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Within the life cycle of a living organism, another life cycle exists for the selfish genome inhabitants, which are called transposable elements (TEs). These mobile sequences invade, duplicate, amplify, and diversify within a genome, increasing the genome's size and generating new mutations. Cells act to defend their genome, but rather than permanently destroying TEs, they use chromatin-level repression and epigenetic inheritance to silence TE activity. This level of silencing is ephemeral and reversible, leading to a dynamic equilibrium between TE suppression and reactivation within a host genome. The coexistence of the TE and host genome can also lead to the domestication of the TE to serve in host genome evolution and function. In this review, we describe the life cycle of a TE, with emphasis on how epigenetic regulation is harnessed to control TEs for host genome stability and innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Liu
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Diego Cuerda-Gil
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Graduate Program in the Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Saima Shahid
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - R. Keith Slotkin
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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10
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Angileri KM, Bagia NA, Feschotte C. Transposon control as a checkpoint for tissue regeneration. Development 2022; 149:dev191957. [PMID: 36440631 PMCID: PMC10655923 DOI: 10.1242/dev.191957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Tissue regeneration requires precise temporal control of cellular processes such as inflammatory signaling, chromatin remodeling and proliferation. The combination of these processes forms a unique microenvironment permissive to the expression, and potential mobilization of, transposable elements (TEs). Here, we develop the hypothesis that TE activation creates a barrier to tissue repair that must be overcome to achieve successful regeneration. We discuss how uncontrolled TE activity may impede tissue restoration and review mechanisms by which TE activity may be controlled during regeneration. We posit that the diversification and co-evolution of TEs and host control mechanisms may contribute to the wide variation in regenerative competency across tissues and species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista M. Angileri
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, 526 Campus Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Nornubari A. Bagia
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, 526 Campus Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Cedric Feschotte
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, 526 Campus Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
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11
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Genzor P, Konstantinidou P, Stoyko D, Manzourolajdad A, Marlin Andrews C, Elchert AR, Stathopoulos C, Haase AD. Cellular abundance shapes function in piRNA-guided genome defense. Genome Res 2021; 31:2058-2068. [PMID: 34667116 PMCID: PMC8559710 DOI: 10.1101/gr.275478.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Defense against genome invaders universally relies on RNA-guided immunity. Prokaryotic CRISPR-Cas and eukaryotic RNA interference pathways recognize targets by complementary base-pairing, which places the sequences of their guide RNAs at the center of self/nonself discrimination. Here, we explore the sequence space of PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), the genome defense of animals, and establish functional priority among individual sequences. Our results reveal that only the topmost abundant piRNAs are commonly present in every cell, whereas rare sequences generate cell-to-cell diversity in flies and mice. We identify a skewed distribution of sequence abundance as a hallmark of piRNA populations and show that quantitative differences of more than a 1000-fold are established by conserved mechanisms of biogenesis. Finally, our genomics analyses and direct reporter assays reveal that abundance determines function in piRNA-guided genome defense. Taken together, we identify an effective sequence space and untangle two classes of piRNAs that differ in complexity and function. The first class represents the topmost abundant sequences and drives silencing of genomic parasites. The second class sparsely covers an enormous sequence space. These rare piRNAs cannot function in every cell, every individual, or every generation but create diversity with potential for adaptation in the ongoing arms race with genome invaders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavol Genzor
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Parthena Konstantinidou
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Daniel Stoyko
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Amirhossein Manzourolajdad
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Celine Marlin Andrews
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Alexandra R Elchert
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | | | - Astrid D Haase
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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12
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Li D, Taylor DH, van Wolfswinkel JC. PIWI-mediated control of tissue-specific transposons is essential for somatic cell differentiation. Cell Rep 2021; 37:109776. [PMID: 34610311 PMCID: PMC8532177 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PIWI proteins are known as mediators of transposon silencing in animal germlines but are also found in adult pluripotent stem cells of highly regenerative animals, where they are essential for regeneration. Study of the nuclear PIWI protein SMEDWI-2 in the planarian somatic stem cell system reveals an intricate interplay between transposons and cell differentiation in which a subset of transposons is inevitably activated during cell differentiation, and the PIWI protein is required to regain control. Absence of SMEDWI-2 leads to tissue-specific transposon derepression related to cell-type-specific chromatin remodeling events and in addition causes reduced accessibility of lineage-specific genes and defective cell differentiation, resulting in fatal tissue dysfunction. Finally, we show that additional PIWI proteins provide a stem-cell-specific second layer of protection in planarian neoblasts. These findings reveal a far-reaching role of PIWI proteins and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) in stem cell biology and cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyan Li
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - David H Taylor
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Josien C van Wolfswinkel
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
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13
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Onishi R, Yamanaka S, Siomi MC. piRNA- and siRNA-mediated transcriptional repression in Drosophila, mice, and yeast: new insights and biodiversity. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e53062. [PMID: 34347367 PMCID: PMC8490990 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202153062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The PIWI‐interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway acts as a self‐defense mechanism against transposons to maintain germline genome integrity. Failures in the piRNA pathway cause DNA damage in the germline genome, disturbing inheritance of “correct” genetic information by the next generations and leading to infertility. piRNAs execute transposon repression in two ways: degrading their RNA transcripts and compacting the genomic loci via heterochromatinization. The former event is mechanistically similar to siRNA‐mediated RNA cleavage that occurs in the cytoplasm and has been investigated in many species including nematodes, fruit flies, and mammals. The latter event seems to be mechanistically parallel to siRNA‐centered kinetochore assembly and subsequent chromosome segregation, which has so far been studied particularly in fission yeast. Despite the interspecies conservations, the overall schemes of the nuclear events show clear biodiversity across species. In this review, we summarize the recent progress regarding piRNA‐mediated transcriptional silencing in Drosophila and discuss the biodiversity by comparing it with the equivalent piRNA‐mediated system in mice and the siRNA‐mediated system in fission yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Onishi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Soichiro Yamanaka
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mikiko C Siomi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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14
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Yang Y, Ye X, Dang C, Cao Y, Hong R, Sun YH, Xiao S, Mei Y, Xu L, Fang Q, Xiao H, Li F, Ye G. Genome of the pincer wasp Gonatopus flavifemur reveals unique venom evolution and a dual adaptation to parasitism and predation. BMC Biol 2021; 19:145. [PMID: 34315471 PMCID: PMC8314478 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01081-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hymenoptera comprise extremely diverse insect species with extensive variation in their life histories. The Dryinidae, a family of solitary wasps of Hymenoptera, have evolved innovations that allow them to hunt using venom and a pair of chelae developed from the fore legs that can grasp prey. Dryinidae larvae are also parasitoids of Auchenorrhyncha, a group including common pests such as planthoppers and leafhoppers. Both of these traits make them effective and valuable for pest control, but little is yet known about the genetic basis of its dual adaptation to parasitism and predation. Results We sequenced and assembled a high-quality genome of the dryinid wasp Gonatopus flavifemur, which at 636.5 Mb is larger than most hymenopterans. The expansion of transposable elements, especially DNA transposons, is a major contributor to the genome size enlargement. Our genome-wide screens reveal a number of positively selected genes and rapidly evolving proteins involved in energy production and motor activity, which may contribute to the predatory adaptation of dryinid wasp. We further show that three female-biased, reproductive-associated yellow genes, in response to the prey feeding behavior, are significantly elevated in adult females, which may facilitate the egg production. Venom is a powerful weapon for dryinid wasp during parasitism and predation. We therefore analyze the transcriptomes of venom glands and describe specific expansions in venom Idgf-like genes and neprilysin-like genes. Furthermore, we find the LWS2-opsin gene is exclusively expressed in male G. flavifemur, which may contribute to partner searching and mating. Conclusions Our results provide new insights into the genome evolution, predatory adaptation, venom evolution, and sex-biased genes in G. flavifemur, and present genomic resources for future in-depth comparative analyses of hymenopterans that may benefit pest control. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01081-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinhai Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Cong Dang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunshen Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rui Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu H Sun
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Shan Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Le Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huamei Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Crop Growth and Development Regulation of Jiangxi Province, College of Life Sciences and Resource Environment, Yichun University, Yichun, China
| | - Fei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gongyin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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15
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16
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Vrettos N, Maragkakis M, Alexiou P, Sgourdou P, Ibrahim F, Palmieri D, Kirino Y, Mourelatos Z. Modulation of Aub-TDRD interactions elucidates piRNA amplification and germplasm formation. Life Sci Alliance 2021; 4:e202000912. [PMID: 33376130 PMCID: PMC7772777 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Vrettos
- Division of Neuropathology, Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Manolis Maragkakis
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Paraskevi Sgourdou
- Departments of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Fadia Ibrahim
- Division of Neuropathology, Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Daniel Palmieri
- Division of Neuropathology, Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yohei Kirino
- Computational Medicine Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zissimos Mourelatos
- Division of Neuropathology, Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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17
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piRNAs as Modulators of Disease Pathogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052373. [PMID: 33673453 PMCID: PMC7956838 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in understanding disease pathogenesis correlates to modifications in gene expression within different tissues and organ systems. In depth knowledge about the dysregulation of gene expression profiles is fundamental to fully uncover mechanisms in disease development and changes in host homeostasis. The body of knowledge surrounding mammalian regulatory elements, specifically regulators of chromatin structure, transcriptional and translational activation, has considerably surged within the past decade. A set of key regulators whose function still needs to be fully elucidated are small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs). Due to their broad range of unfolding functions in the regulation of gene expression during transcription and translation, sncRNAs are becoming vital to many cellular processes. Within the past decade, a novel class of sncRNAs called PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have been implicated in various diseases, and understanding their complete function is of vital importance. Historically, piRNAs have been shown to be indispensable in germline integrity and stem cell development. Accumulating research evidence continue to reveal the many arms of piRNA function. Although piRNA function and biogenesis has been extensively studied in Drosophila, it is thought that they play similar roles in vertebrate species, including humans. Compounding evidence suggests that piRNAs encompass a wider functional range than small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), which have been studied more in terms of cellular homeostasis and disease. This review aims to summarize contemporary knowledge regarding biogenesis, and homeostatic function of piRNAs and their emerging roles in the development of pathologies related to cardiomyopathies, cancer, and infectious diseases.
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18
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Onishi R, Sato K, Murano K, Negishi L, Siomi H, Siomi MC. Piwi suppresses transcription of Brahma-dependent transposons via Maelstrom in ovarian somatic cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:6/50/eaaz7420. [PMID: 33310860 PMCID: PMC7732180 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz7420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Drosophila Piwi associates with PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and represses transposons transcriptionally through heterochromatinization; however, this process is poorly understood. Here, we identify Brahma (Brm), the core adenosine triphosphatase of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, as a new Piwi interactor, and show Brm involvement in activating transcription of Piwi-targeted transposons before silencing. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that Piwi, once bound to target RNAs, reduced the occupancies of SWI/SNF and RNA polymerase II (Pol II) on target loci, abrogating transcription. Artificial piRNA-driven targeting of Piwi to RNA transcripts enhanced repression of Brm-dependent reporters compared with Brm-independent reporters. This was dependent on Piwi cofactors, Gtsf1/Asterix (Gtsf1), Panoramix/Silencio (Panx), and Maelstrom (Mael), but not Eggless/dSetdb (Egg)-mediated H3K9me3 deposition. The λN-box B-mediated tethering of Mael to reporters repressed Brm-dependent genes in the absence of Piwi, Panx, and Gtsf1. We propose that Piwi, via Mael, can rapidly suppress transcription of Brm-dependent genes to facilitate heterochromatin formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Onishi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Kaoru Sato
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Kensaku Murano
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Lumi Negishi
- Central Laboratory, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Siomi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Mikiko C Siomi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.
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19
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Jing Z, Xi Y, Yin J, Shuwen H. Biological roles of piRNAs in colorectal cancer. Gene 2020; 769:145063. [PMID: 32827685 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.145063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and a major cause of cancer-related deaths. Numerous studies have suggested that piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), a new type of non-coding RNA (ncRNA), are closely related to the occurrence and development of cancer. piRNAs have been shown to regulate the occurrence of CRC by modulating multiple molecular signaling pathways. Here, the roles of piRNAs in CRC were reviewed to provide evidence for their potential as molecular targets for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuang Jing
- Graduate School of Nursing, Huzhou University, Zhejiang, No. 1 Bachelor Road, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province 313000, PR China
| | - Yang Xi
- Department of Oncology, Huzhou Cent Hospital, Affiliated Cent Hospital HuZhou University, 198 Hongqi Rd, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, PR China
| | - Jin Yin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huzhou Cent Hospital, Affiliated Cent Hospital HuZhou University, 198 Hongqi Rd, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, PR China
| | - Han Shuwen
- Department of Oncology, Huzhou Cent Hospital, Affiliated Cent Hospital HuZhou University, 198 Hongqi Rd, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, PR China.
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20
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Mérel V, Boulesteix M, Fablet M, Vieira C. Transposable elements in Drosophila. Mob DNA 2020; 11:23. [PMID: 32636946 PMCID: PMC7334843 DOI: 10.1186/s13100-020-00213-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophila has been studied as a biological model for many years and many discoveries in biology rely on this species. Research on transposable elements (TEs) is not an exception. Drosophila has contributed significantly to our knowledge on the mechanisms of transposition and their regulation, but above all, it was one of the first organisms on which genetic and genomic studies of populations were done. In this review article, in a very broad way, we will approach the TEs of Drosophila with a historical hindsight as well as recent discoveries in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Mérel
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive UMR 5558, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Matthieu Boulesteix
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive UMR 5558, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Marie Fablet
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive UMR 5558, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Cristina Vieira
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive UMR 5558, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
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21
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Piwi reduction in the aged niche eliminates germline stem cells via Toll-GSK3 signaling. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3147. [PMID: 32561720 PMCID: PMC7305233 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16858-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposons are known to participate in tissue aging, but their effects on aged stem cells remain unclear. Here, we report that in the Drosophila ovarian germline stem cell (GSC) niche, aging-related reductions in expression of Piwi (a transposon silencer) derepress retrotransposons and cause GSC loss. Suppression of Piwi expression in the young niche mimics the aged niche, causing retrotransposon depression and coincident activation of Toll-mediated signaling, which promotes Glycogen synthase kinase 3 activity to degrade β-catenin. Disruption of β-catenin-E-cadherin-mediated GSC anchorage then results in GSC loss. Knocking down gypsy (a highly active retrotransposon) or toll, or inhibiting reverse transcription in the piwi-deficient niche, suppresses GSK3 activity and β-catenin degradation, restoring GSC-niche attachment. This retrotransposon-mediated impairment of aged stem cell maintenance may have relevance in many tissues, and could represent a viable therapeutic target for aging-related tissue degeneration.
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22
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Kukushkina IV, Makhnovskii PA, Nefedova LN, Milyaeva PA, Kuzmin IV, Lavrenov AR, Kim AI. Analysis of Transcriptome of Drosophila melanogaster Strains with Disrupted Control of gypsy Retrotransposon Transposition. RUSS J GENET+ 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795420050087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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23
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Kukushkina IV, Makhnovskii PA, Nefedova LN, Balakireva EA, Romanova NI, Kuzmin IV, Lavrenov AR, Kim AI. A Study of the Fertility of a Drosophila melanogaster MS Strain with Impaired Transposition Control of the gypsy Mobile Element. Mol Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893320030097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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24
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Angelova MT, Dimitrova DG, Da Silva B, Marchand V, Jacquier C, Achour C, Brazane M, Goyenvalle C, Bourguignon-Igel V, Shehzada S, Khouider S, Lence T, Guerineau V, Roignant JY, Antoniewski C, Teysset L, Bregeon D, Motorin Y, Schaefer MR, Carré C. tRNA 2'-O-methylation by a duo of TRM7/FTSJ1 proteins modulates small RNA silencing in Drosophila. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:2050-2072. [PMID: 31943105 PMCID: PMC7038984 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
2′-O-Methylation (Nm) represents one of the most common RNA modifications. Nm affects RNA structure and function with crucial roles in various RNA-mediated processes ranging from RNA silencing, translation, self versus non-self recognition to viral defense mechanisms. Here, we identify two Nm methyltransferases (Nm-MTases) in Drosophila melanogaster (CG7009 and CG5220) as functional orthologs of yeast TRM7 and human FTSJ1. Genetic knockout studies together with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and RiboMethSeq mapping revealed that CG7009 is responsible for methylating the wobble position in tRNAPhe, tRNATrp and tRNALeu, while CG5220 methylates position C32 in the same tRNAs and also targets additional tRNAs. CG7009 or CG5220 mutant animals were viable and fertile but exhibited various phenotypes such as lifespan reduction, small RNA pathways dysfunction and increased sensitivity to RNA virus infections. Our results provide the first detailed characterization of two TRM7 family members in Drosophila and uncover a molecular link between enzymes catalyzing Nm at specific tRNAs and small RNA-induced gene silencing pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita T Angelova
- Transgenerational Epigenetics & small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, 9 Quai Saint Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Dilyana G Dimitrova
- Transgenerational Epigenetics & small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, 9 Quai Saint Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Bruno Da Silva
- Transgenerational Epigenetics & small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, 9 Quai Saint Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Virginie Marchand
- Next-Generation Sequencing Core Facility, UMS2008 IBSLor CNRS-Université de Lorraine-INSERM, BioPôle, 9 avenue de la Forêt de Haye, 54505 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Caroline Jacquier
- Transgenerational Epigenetics & small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, 9 Quai Saint Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Cyrinne Achour
- Transgenerational Epigenetics & small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, 9 Quai Saint Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Mira Brazane
- Transgenerational Epigenetics & small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, 9 Quai Saint Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Catherine Goyenvalle
- Eucaryiotic Translation, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Biological Adaptation and Ageing, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, 9 Quai Saint bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Valérie Bourguignon-Igel
- Next-Generation Sequencing Core Facility, UMS2008 IBSLor CNRS-Université de Lorraine-INSERM, BioPôle, 9 avenue de la Forêt de Haye, 54505 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France.,Ingénierie Moléculaire et Physiopathologie Articulaire, UMR7365, CNRS - Université de Lorraine, 9 avenue de la Forêt de Haye, 54505 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Salman Shehzada
- Transgenerational Epigenetics & small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, 9 Quai Saint Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Souraya Khouider
- Transgenerational Epigenetics & small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, 9 Quai Saint Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Tina Lence
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Vincent Guerineau
- Institut de Chimie de Substances Naturelles, Centre de Recherche de Gif CNRS, 1 avenue de la Terrasse, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Jean-Yves Roignant
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany.,Center for Integrative Genomics, Génopode Building, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Antoniewski
- ARTbio Bioinformatics Analysis Facility, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, 9 Quai Saint Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Laure Teysset
- Transgenerational Epigenetics & small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, 9 Quai Saint Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Damien Bregeon
- Eucaryiotic Translation, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Biological Adaptation and Ageing, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, 9 Quai Saint bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Yuri Motorin
- Ingénierie Moléculaire et Physiopathologie Articulaire, UMR7365, CNRS - Université de Lorraine, 9 avenue de la Forêt de Haye, 54505 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Matthias R Schaefer
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Clément Carré
- Transgenerational Epigenetics & small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, 9 Quai Saint Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
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25
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Lepesant JMJ, Iampietro C, Galeota E, Augé B, Aguirrenbengoa M, Mercé C, Chaubet C, Rocher V, Haenlin M, Waltzer L, Pelizzola M, Di Stefano L. A dual role of dLsd1 in oogenesis: regulating developmental genes and repressing transposons. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:1206-1224. [PMID: 31799607 PMCID: PMC7026653 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone demethylase LSD1 is a key chromatin regulator that is often deregulated in cancer. Its ortholog, dLsd1 plays a crucial role in Drosophila oogenesis; however, our knowledge of dLsd1 function is insufficient to explain its role in the ovary. Here, we have performed genome-wide analysis of dLsd1 binding in the ovary, and we document that dLsd1 is preferentially associated to the transcription start site of developmental genes. We uncovered an unanticipated interplay between dLsd1 and the GATA transcription factor Serpent and we report an unexpected role for Serpent in oogenesis. Besides, our transcriptomic data show that reducing dLsd1 levels results in ectopic transposable elements (TE) expression correlated with changes in H3K4me2 and H3K9me2 at TE loci. In addition, our results suggest that dLsd1 is required for Piwi dependent TE silencing. Hence, we propose that dLsd1 plays crucial roles in establishing specific gene expression programs and in repressing transposons during oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M J Lepesant
- LBCMCP, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse 31062, France
| | - Carole Iampietro
- LBCMCP, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse 31062, France
| | - Eugenia Galeota
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Milan 20139, Italy
| | - Benoit Augé
- CBD, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse 31062, France
| | - Marion Aguirrenbengoa
- LBCMCP, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse 31062, France
| | - Clemèntine Mercé
- LBCMCP, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse 31062, France.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Camille Chaubet
- LBCMCP, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse 31062, France
| | - Vincent Rocher
- LBCMCP, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse 31062, France
| | - Marc Haenlin
- CBD, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse 31062, France
| | - Lucas Waltzer
- CBD, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse 31062, France.,Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, GReD, Clermont-Ferrand F-63000, France
| | - Mattia Pelizzola
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Milan 20139, Italy
| | - Luisa Di Stefano
- LBCMCP, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse 31062, France
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26
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Yamaguchi S, Oe A, Nishida KM, Yamashita K, Kajiya A, Hirano S, Matsumoto N, Dohmae N, Ishitani R, Saito K, Siomi H, Nishimasu H, Siomi MC, Nureki O. Crystal structure of Drosophila Piwi. Nat Commun 2020; 11:858. [PMID: 32051406 PMCID: PMC7015924 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14687-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PIWI-clade Argonaute proteins associate with PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), and silence transposons in animal gonads. Here, we report the crystal structure of the Drosophila PIWI-clade Argonaute Piwi in complex with endogenous piRNAs, at 2.9 Å resolution. A structural comparison of Piwi with other Argonautes highlights the PIWI-specific structural features, such as the overall domain arrangement and metal-dependent piRNA recognition. Our structural and biochemical data reveal that, unlike other Argonautes including silkworm Siwi, Piwi has a non-canonical DVDK tetrad and lacks the RNA-guided RNA cleaving slicer activity. Furthermore, we find that the Piwi mutant with the canonical DEDH catalytic tetrad exhibits the slicer activity and readily dissociates from less complementary RNA targets after the slicer-mediated cleavage, suggesting that the slicer activity could compromise the Piwi-mediated co-transcriptional silencing. We thus propose that Piwi lost the slicer activity during evolution to serve as an RNA-guided RNA-binding platform, thereby ensuring faithful co-transcriptional silencing of transposons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonomi Yamaguchi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Akira Oe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kazumichi M Nishida
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan
| | - Keitaro Yamashita
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Asako Kajiya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan
| | - Seiichi Hirano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Naoki Matsumoto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Naoshi Dohmae
- Biomolecular Characterization Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Ryuichiro Ishitani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kuniaki Saito
- Invertebrate Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka, 411-8540, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Siomi
- Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nishimasu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Mikiko C Siomi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan.
| | - Osamu Nureki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
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27
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Abstract
In mammals and invertebrates, the proliferation of an invading transposable element (TE) is thought to be stopped by an insertion into a piRNA cluster. Here, we explore the dynamics of TE invasions under this trap model using computer simulations. We found that piRNA clusters confer a substantial benefit, effectively preventing extinction of host populations from a proliferation of deleterious TEs. TE invasions consist of three distinct phases: first, the TE amplifies within the population, next TE proliferation is stopped by segregating cluster insertions, and finally the TE is inactivated by fixation of a cluster insertion. Suppression by segregating cluster insertions is unstable and bursts of TE activity may yet occur. The transposition rate and the population size mostly influence the length of the phases but not the amount of TEs accumulating during an invasion. Solely, the size of piRNA clusters was identified as a major factor influencing TE abundance. We found that a single nonrecombining cluster is more efficient in stopping invasions than clusters distributed over several chromosomes. Recombination among cluster sites makes it necessary that each diploid carries, on the average, four cluster insertions to stop an invasion. Surprisingly, negative selection in a model with piRNA clusters can lead to a novel equilibrium state, where TE copy numbers remain stable despite only some individuals in a population carrying a cluster insertion. In Drosophila melanogaster, the trap model accounts for the abundance of TEs produced in the germline but fails to predict the abundance of TEs produced in the soma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Kofler
- Institut für Populationsgenetik, Vetmeduni Vienna, Wien, Austria
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28
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Sokolova OA, Mikhaleva EA, Kharitonov SL, Abramov YA, Gvozdev VA, Klenov MS. Special vulnerability of somatic niche cells to transposable element activation in Drosophila larval ovaries. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1076. [PMID: 31974416 PMCID: PMC6978372 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57901-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In the Drosophila ovary, somatic escort cells (ECs) form a niche that promotes differentiation of germline stem cell (GSC) progeny. The piRNA (Piwi-interacting RNA) pathway, which represses transposable elements (TEs), is required in ECs to prevent the accumulation of undifferentiated germ cells (germline tumor phenotype). The soma-specific piRNA cluster flamenco (flam) produces a substantial part of somatic piRNAs. Here, we characterized the biological effects of somatic TE activation on germ cell differentiation in flam mutants. We revealed that the choice between normal and tumorous phenotypes of flam mutant ovaries depends on the number of persisting ECs, which is determined at the larval stage. Accordingly, we found much more frequent DNA breaks in somatic cells of flam larval ovaries than in adult ECs. The absence of Chk2 or ATM checkpoint kinases dramatically enhanced oogenesis defects of flam mutants, in contrast to the germline TE-induced defects that are known to be mostly suppressed by сhk2 mutation. These results demonstrate a crucial role of checkpoint kinases in protecting niche cells against deleterious TE activation and suggest substantial differences between DNA damage responses in ovarian somatic and germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olesya A Sokolova
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Elena A Mikhaleva
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Sergey L Kharitonov
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Laboratory of Postgenomic Research, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 32 Vavilova St., 119991, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Yuri A Abramov
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Vladimir A Gvozdev
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Mikhail S Klenov
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation.
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29
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Saha P, Mishra RK. Heterochromatic hues of transcription-the diverse roles of noncoding transcripts from constitutive heterochromatin. FEBS J 2019; 286:4626-4641. [PMID: 31644838 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Constitutive heterochromatin has been canonically considered as transcriptionally inert chromosomal regions, which silences the repeats and transposable elements (TEs), to preserve genomic integrity. However, several studies from the last few decades show that centromeric and pericentromeric regions also get transcribed and these transcripts are involved in multiple cellular processes. Regulation of such spatially and temporally controlled transcription and their relevance to heterochromatin function have emerged as an active area of research in chromatin biology. Here, we review the myriad of roles of noncoding transcripts from the constitutive heterochromatin in the establishment and maintenance of heterochromatin, kinetochore assembly, germline epigenome maintenance, early development, and diseases. Contrary to general expectations, there are active protein-coding genes in the heterochromatin although the regulatory mechanisms of their expression are largely unknown. We propose plausible hypotheses to explain heterochromatic gene expression using Drosophila melanogaster as a model, and discuss the evolutionary significance of these transcripts in the context of Drosophilid speciation. Such analyses offer insights into the regulatory pathways and functions of heterochromatic transcripts which open new avenues for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parna Saha
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Rakesh K Mishra
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
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30
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piRNA-Guided CRISPR-like Immunity in Eukaryotes. Trends Immunol 2019; 40:998-1010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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31
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Zhu J, Zhang D, Liu X, Yu G, Cai X, Xu C, Rong F, Ouyang G, Wang J, Xiao W. Zebrafish prmt5 arginine methyltransferase is essential for germ cell development. Development 2019; 146:dev.179572. [PMID: 31533925 DOI: 10.1242/dev.179572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (Prmt5), a type II arginine methyltransferase, symmetrically dimethylates arginine in nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins. Prmt5 is involved in a variety of cellular processes, including ribosome biogenesis, cellular differentiation, germ cell development and tumorigenesis. However, the mechanisms by which prmt5 influences cellular processes have remained unclear. Here, prmt5 loss in zebrafish led to the expression of an infertile male phenotype due to a reduction in germ cell number, an increase in germ cell apoptosis and the failure of gonads to differentiate into normal testes or ovaries. Moreover, arginine methylation of the germ cell-specific proteins Zili and Vasa, as well as histones H3 (H3R8me2s) and H4 (H4R3me2s), was reduced in the gonads of prmt5-null zebrafish. This resulted in the downregulation of several Piwi pathway proteins, including Zili, and Vasa. In addition, various genes related to meiosis, gonad development and sexual differentiation were dysregulated in the gonads of prmt5-null zebrafish. Our results revealed a novel mechanism associated with prmt5, i.e. prmt5 apparently controls germ cell development in vertebrates by catalyzing arginine methylation of the germline-specific proteins Zili and Vasa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junji Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Dawei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangqing Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaolian Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenxi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangjing Rong
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Wuhan Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Aquaculture Disease Control, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.,The Key of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.,The Innovation of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
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32
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Ozata DM, Gainetdinov I, Zoch A, O'Carroll D, Zamore PD. PIWI-interacting RNAs: small RNAs with big functions. Nat Rev Genet 2019; 20:89-108. [PMID: 30446728 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-018-0073-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 632] [Impact Index Per Article: 126.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In animals, PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) of 21-35 nucleotides in length silence transposable elements, regulate gene expression and fight viral infection. piRNAs guide PIWI proteins to cleave target RNA, promote heterochromatin assembly and methylate DNA. The architecture of the piRNA pathway allows it both to provide adaptive, sequence-based immunity to rapidly evolving viruses and transposons and to regulate conserved host genes. piRNAs silence transposons in the germ line of most animals, whereas somatic piRNA functions have been lost, gained and lost again across evolution. Moreover, most piRNA pathway proteins are deeply conserved, but different animals employ remarkably divergent strategies to produce piRNA precursor transcripts. Here, we discuss how a common piRNA pathway allows animals to recognize diverse targets, ranging from selfish genetic elements to genes essential for gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz M Ozata
- RNA Therapeutics Institute and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ildar Gainetdinov
- RNA Therapeutics Institute and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ansgar Zoch
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Dónal O'Carroll
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Phillip D Zamore
- RNA Therapeutics Institute and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
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33
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Houé V, Bonizzoni M, Failloux AB. Endogenous non-retroviral elements in genomes of Aedes mosquitoes and vector competence. Emerg Microbes Infect 2019; 8:542-555. [PMID: 30938223 PMCID: PMC6455143 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2019.1599302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent extensive (re)emergences of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) such as chikungunya (CHIKV), zika (ZIKV) and dengue (DENV) viruses highlight the role of the epidemic vectors, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, in their spreading. Differences of vector competence to arboviruses highlight different virus/vector interactions. While both are highly competent to transmit CHIKV (Alphavirus,Togaviridae), only Ae. albopictus is considered as a secondary vector for DENV (Flavivirus, Flaviviridae). Among other factors such as environmental temperature, mosquito antiviral immunity and microbiota, the presence of non-retroviral integrated RNA virus sequences (NIRVS) in both mosquito genomes may modulate the vector competence. Here we review the current knowledge on these elements, highlighting the mechanisms by which they are produced and endogenized into Aedes genomes. Additionally, we describe their involvement in antiviral immunity as a stimulator of the RNA interference pathways and in some rare cases, as producer of viral-interfering proteins. Finally, we mention NIRVS as a tool for understanding virus/vector co-evolution. The recent discovery of endogenized elements shows that virus/vector interactions are more dynamic than previously thought, and genetic markers such as NIRVS could be one of the potential targets to reduce arbovirus transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Houé
- a Department of Virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors , Institut Pasteur , Paris , France.,b Collège Doctoral , Sorbonne Université , Paris , France
| | | | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- a Department of Virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors , Institut Pasteur , Paris , France
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34
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Genenncher B, Durdevic Z, Hanna K, Zinkl D, Mobin MB, Senturk N, Da Silva B, Legrand C, Carré C, Lyko F, Schaefer M. Mutations in Cytosine-5 tRNA Methyltransferases Impact Mobile Element Expression and Genome Stability at Specific DNA Repeats. Cell Rep 2019; 22:1861-1874. [PMID: 29444437 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.01.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The maintenance of eukaryotic genome stability is ensured by the interplay of transcriptional as well as post-transcriptional mechanisms that control recombination of repeat regions and the expression and mobility of transposable elements. We report here that mutations in two (cytosine-5) RNA methyltransferases, Dnmt2 and NSun2, impact the accumulation of mobile element-derived sequences and DNA repeat integrity in Drosophila. Loss of Dnmt2 function caused moderate effects under standard conditions, while heat shock exacerbated these effects. In contrast, NSun2 function affected mobile element expression and genome integrity in a heat shock-independent fashion. Reduced tRNA stability in both RCMT mutants indicated that tRNA-dependent processes affected mobile element expression and DNA repeat stability. Importantly, further experiments indicated that complex formation with RNA could also contribute to the impact of RCMT function on gene expression control. These results thus uncover a link between tRNA modification enzymes, the expression of repeat DNA, and genomic integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Genenncher
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Zeljko Durdevic
- Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Hanna
- Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniela Zinkl
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mehrpouya Balaghy Mobin
- Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Laboratory of RNA Molecular Biology, Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Nevcin Senturk
- Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Molecular Biology of the Cell II, German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Im Neuenheimer Feld 581, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bruno Da Silva
- Drosophila Genetics and Epigenetics Lab, Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (IBPS), 9, Quai St Bernard, Boîte courrier 24, 75252 Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Carine Legrand
- Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Clément Carré
- Drosophila Genetics and Epigenetics Lab, Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (IBPS), 9, Quai St Bernard, Boîte courrier 24, 75252 Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Frank Lyko
- Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Schaefer
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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35
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The Integrity of piRNA Clusters is Abolished by Insulators in the Drosophila Germline. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10030209. [PMID: 30862119 PMCID: PMC6471301 DOI: 10.3390/genes10030209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) control transposable element (TE) activity in the germline. piRNAs are produced from single-stranded precursors transcribed from distinct genomic loci, enriched by TE fragments and termed piRNA clusters. The specific chromatin organization and transcriptional regulation of Drosophila germline-specific piRNA clusters ensure transcription and processing of piRNA precursors. TEs harbour various regulatory elements that could affect piRNA cluster integrity. One of such elements is the suppressor-of-hairy-wing (Su(Hw))-mediated insulator, which is harboured in the retrotransposon gypsy. To understand how insulators contribute to piRNA cluster activity, we studied the effects of transgenes containing gypsy insulators on local organization of endogenous piRNA clusters. We show that transgene insertions interfere with piRNA precursor transcription, small RNA production and the formation of piRNA cluster-specific chromatin, a hallmark of which is Rhino, the germline homolog of the heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1). The mutations of Su(Hw) restored the integrity of piRNA clusters in transgenic strains. Surprisingly, Su(Hw) depletion enhanced the production of piRNAs by the domesticated telomeric retrotransposon TART, indicating that Su(Hw)-dependent elements protect TART transcripts from piRNA processing machinery in telomeres. A genome-wide analysis revealed that Su(Hw)-binding sites are depleted in endogenous germline piRNA clusters, suggesting that their functional integrity is under strict evolutionary constraints.
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36
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Specchia V, Puricella A, D'Attis S, Massari S, Giangrande A, Bozzetti MP. Drosophila melanogaster as a Model to Study the Multiple Phenotypes, Related to Genome Stability of the Fragile-X Syndrome. Front Genet 2019; 10:10. [PMID: 30815010 PMCID: PMC6381874 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile-X syndrome is one of the most common forms of inherited mental retardation and autistic behaviors. The reduction/absence of the functional FMRP protein, coded by the X-linked Fmr1 gene in humans, is responsible for the syndrome. Patients exhibit a variety of symptoms predominantly linked to the function of FMRP protein in the nervous system like autistic behavior and mild-to-severe intellectual disability. Fragile-X (FraX) individuals also display cellular and morphological traits including branched dendritic spines, large ears, and macroorchidism. The dFmr1 gene is the Drosophila ortholog of the human Fmr1 gene. dFmr1 mutant flies exhibit synaptic abnormalities, behavioral defects as well as an altered germline development, resembling the phenotypes observed in FraX patients. Therefore, Drosophila melanogaster is considered a good model to study the physiopathological mechanisms underlying the Fragile-X syndrome. In this review, we explore how the multifaceted roles of the FMRP protein have been addressed in the Drosophila model and how the gained knowledge may open novel perspectives for understanding the molecular defects causing the disease and for identifying novel therapeutical targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Specchia
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, DiSTeBA, Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Antonietta Puricella
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, DiSTeBA, Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Simona D'Attis
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, DiSTeBA, Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Serafina Massari
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, DiSTeBA, Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Angela Giangrande
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, Illkirch, France.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964, Illkirch, France.,Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Maria Pia Bozzetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, DiSTeBA, Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy
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Chang TH, Mattei E, Gainetdinov I, Colpan C, Weng Z, Zamore PD. Maelstrom Represses Canonical Polymerase II Transcription within Bi-directional piRNA Clusters in Drosophila melanogaster. Mol Cell 2019; 73:291-303.e6. [PMID: 30527661 PMCID: PMC6551610 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2018.10.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In Drosophila, 23-30 nt long PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) direct the protein Piwi to silence germline transposon transcription. Most germline piRNAs derive from dual-strand piRNA clusters, heterochromatic transposon graveyards that are transcribed from both genomic strands. These piRNA sources are marked by the heterochromatin protein 1 homolog Rhino (Rhi), which facilitates their promoter-independent transcription, suppresses splicing, and inhibits transcriptional termination. Here, we report that the protein Maelstrom (Mael) represses canonical, promoter-dependent transcription in dual-strand clusters, allowing Rhi to initiate piRNA precursor transcription. Mael also represses promoter-dependent transcription at sites outside clusters. At some loci, Mael repression requires the piRNA pathway, while at others, piRNAs play no role. We propose that by repressing canonical transcription of individual transposon mRNAs, Mael helps Rhi drive non-canonical transcription of piRNA precursors without generating mRNAs encoding transposon proteins.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Argonaute Proteins/genetics
- Argonaute Proteins/metabolism
- Binding Sites
- Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/genetics
- Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/metabolism
- DNA Transposable Elements
- Drosophila Proteins/genetics
- Drosophila Proteins/metabolism
- Drosophila melanogaster/enzymology
- Drosophila melanogaster/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Protein Binding
- RNA Helicases/genetics
- RNA Helicases/metabolism
- RNA Polymerase II/genetics
- RNA Polymerase II/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/biosynthesis
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- Transcription, Genetic
- RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy H Chang
- RNA Therapeutics Institute and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Eugenio Mattei
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Ildar Gainetdinov
- RNA Therapeutics Institute and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Cansu Colpan
- RNA Therapeutics Institute and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Zhiping Weng
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| | - Phillip D Zamore
- RNA Therapeutics Institute and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Worcester, MA, USA.
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Abstract
Gametogenesis represents the most dramatic cellular differentiation pathways in both female and male flies. At the genome level, meiosis ensures that diploid germ cells become haploid gametes. At the epigenome level, extensive changes are required to turn on and shut off gene expression in a precise spatiotemporally controlled manner. Research applying conventional molecular genetics and cell biology, in combination with rapidly advancing genomic tools have helped us to investigate (1) how germ cells maintain lineage specificity throughout their adult reproductive lifetime; (2) what molecular mechanisms ensure proper oogenesis and spermatogenesis, as well as protect genome integrity of the germline; (3) how signaling pathways contribute to germline-soma communication; and (4) if such communication is important. In this chapter, we highlight recent discoveries that have improved our understanding of these questions. On the other hand, restarting a new life cycle upon fertilization is a unique challenge faced by gametes, raising questions that involve intergenerational and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Therefore, we also discuss new developments that link changes during gametogenesis to early embryonic development-a rapidly growing field that promises to bring more understanding to some fundamental questions regarding metazoan development.
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Pathogenic tau-induced piRNA depletion promotes neuronal death through transposable element dysregulation in neurodegenerative tauopathies. Nat Neurosci 2018; 21:1038-1048. [PMID: 30038280 PMCID: PMC6095477 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-018-0194-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Transposable elements, known colloquially as “jumping genes,” constitute approximately 45% of the human genome. Cells utilize epigenetic defenses to limit transposable element jumping, including formation of silencing heterochromatin and generation of piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), small RNAs that facilitate clearance of transposable element transcripts. Here we identify transposable element dysregulation as a key mediator of neuronal death in tauopathies, a group of neurodegenerative disorders that are pathologically characterized by deposits of tau protein in the brain. Mechanistically, we find that heterochromatin decondensation and reduction of piwi/piRNAs drive transposable element dysregulation in tauopathy. We further report a significant increase in transcripts of the endogenous retrovirus class of transposable elements in human Alzheimer’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy, suggesting that transposable element dysregulation is conserved in human tauopathy. Taken together, our data identify heterochromatin decondensation, piwi/piRNA depletion and consequent transposable element dysregulation as a novel, pharmacologically targetable, mechanistic driver of neurodegeneration in tauopathy.
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40
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The Challenges and Opportunities in the Clinical Application of Noncoding RNAs: The Road Map for miRNAs and piRNAs in Cancer Diagnostics and Prognostics. Int J Genomics 2018; 2018:5848046. [PMID: 29854719 PMCID: PMC5952559 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5848046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Discoveries on nonprotein-coding RNAs have induced a paradigm shift in our overall understanding of gene expression and regulation. We now understand that coding and noncoding RNA machinery work in concert to maintain overall homeostasis. Based on their length, noncoding RNAs are broadly classified into two groups—long (>200 nt) and small noncoding RNAs (<200 nt). These RNAs perform diverse functions—gene regulation, splicing, translation, and posttranscriptional modifications. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are two classes of small noncoding RNAs that are now classified as master regulators of gene expression. They have also demonstrated clinical significance as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for several diseases, including cancer. Despite these similarities, both these RNAs are generated through contrasting mechanisms, and one of the aims of this review is to cover the distance travelled since their discovery and compare and contrast the various facets of these RNAs. Although these RNAs show tremendous promise as biomarkers, translating the findings from bench to bedside is often met with roadblocks. The second aim of this review therefore is to highlight some of the challenges that hinder application of miRNA and piRNA as in guiding treatment decisions.
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Piwi-interacting RNAs and PIWI genes as novel prognostic markers for breast cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 7:37944-37956. [PMID: 27177224 PMCID: PMC5122362 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), whose role in germline maintenance has been established, are now also being classified as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression in somatic cells. PIWI proteins, central to piRNA biogenesis, have been identified as genetic and epigenetic regulators of gene expression. piRNAs/PIWIs have emerged as potential biomarkers for cancer but their relevance to breast cancer has not been comprehensively studied. piRNAs and mRNAs were profiled from normal and breast tumor tissues using next generation sequencing and Agilent platforms, respectively. Gene targets for differentially expressed piRNAs were identified from mRNA expression dataset. piRNAs and PIWI genes were independently assessed for their prognostic significance (outcomes: Overall Survival, OS and Recurrence Free Survival, RFS). We discovered eight piRNAs as novel independent prognostic markers and their association with OS was confirmed in an external dataset (The Cancer Genome Atlas). Further, PIWIL3 and PIWIL4 genes showed prognostic relevance. 306 gene targets exhibited reciprocal relationship with piRNA expression. Cancer cell pathways such as apoptosis and cell signaling were the key Gene Ontology terms associated with the regulated gene targets. Overall, we have captured the entire cascade of events in a dysregulated piRNA pathway and have identified novel markers for breast cancer prognostication.
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Abstract
Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are the non-coding RNAs with 24-32 nucleotides (nt). They exhibit stark differences in length, expression pattern, abundance, and genomic organization when compared to micro-RNAs (miRNAs). There are hundreds of thousands unique piRNA sequences in each species. Numerous piRNAs have been identified and deposited in public databases. Since the piRNAs were originally discovered and well-studied in the germline, a few other studies have reported the presence of piRNAs in somatic cells including neurons. This paper reviewed the common features, biogenesis, functions, and distributions of piRNAs and summarized their specific functions in the brain. This review may provide new insights and research direction for brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingjun Zuo
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zhiren Wang
- Biological Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yunlong Tan
- Biological Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangning Chen
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine and Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Xingguang Luo
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Biological Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital, Beijing, China
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43
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A heterochromatin-dependent transcription machinery drives piRNA expression. Nature 2017; 549:54-59. [PMID: 28847004 PMCID: PMC5590728 DOI: 10.1038/nature23482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear small RNA pathways safeguard genome integrity by establishing transcription-repressing heterochromatin at transposable elements. This inevitably also targets the transposon-rich source loci of the small RNAs themselves. How small RNA source loci are efficiently transcribed while transposon promoters are potently silenced is not understood. Here we show that, in Drosophila, transcription of PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) clusters-small RNA source loci in animal gonads-is enforced through RNA polymerase II pre-initiation complex formation within repressive heterochromatin. This is accomplished through Moonshiner, a paralogue of a basal transcription factor IIA (TFIIA) subunit, which is recruited to piRNA clusters via the heterochromatin protein-1 variant Rhino. Moonshiner triggers transcription initiation within piRNA clusters by recruiting the TATA-box binding protein (TBP)-related factor TRF2, an animal TFIID core variant. Thus, transcription of heterochromatic small RNA source loci relies on direct recruitment of the core transcriptional machinery to DNA via histone marks rather than sequence motifs, a concept that we argue is a recurring theme in evolution.
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Pritykin Y, Brito T, Schupbach T, Singh M, Pane A. Integrative analysis unveils new functions for the Drosophila Cutoff protein in noncoding RNA biogenesis and gene regulation. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 23:1097-1109. [PMID: 28420675 PMCID: PMC5473144 DOI: 10.1261/rna.058594.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are central components of the piRNA pathway, which directs transposon silencing and guarantees genome integrity in the germ cells of several metazoans. In Drosophila, piRNAs are produced from discrete regions of the genome termed piRNA clusters, whose expression relies on the RDC complex comprised of the core proteins Rhino, Deadlock, and Cutoff. To date, the RDC complex has been exclusively implicated in the regulation of the piRNA loci. Here we further elucidate the function of Cutoff and the RDC complex by performing genome-wide ChIP-seq and RNA-seq assays in the Drosophila ovaries and analyzing these data together with other publicly available data sets. In agreement with previous studies, we confirm that Cutoff is involved in the transcriptional regulation of piRNA clusters and in the repression of transposable elements in germ cells. Surprisingly, however, we find that Cutoff is enriched at and affects the expression of other noncoding RNAs, including spliceosomal RNAs (snRNAs) and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs). At least in some instances, Cutoff appears to act at a transcriptional level in concert with Rhino and perhaps Deadlock. Finally, we show that mutations in Cutoff result in the deregulation of hundreds of protein-coding genes in germ cells. Our study uncovers a broader function for the RDC complex in the Drosophila germline development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Pritykin
- The Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Tarcisio Brito
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21949-902, Brazil
| | - Trudi Schupbach
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Mona Singh
- The Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Attilio Pane
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21949-902, Brazil
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45
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Deka B, Singh KK. Multifaceted Regulation of Gene Expression by the Apoptosis- and Splicing-Associated Protein Complex and Its Components. Int J Biol Sci 2017; 13:545-560. [PMID: 28539829 PMCID: PMC5441173 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.18649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The differential deposition of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) on pre-mRNA mediates the processes of gene expression. One of the complexes containing RBPs that play a crucial part in RNA metabolism is the apoptosis-and splicing-associated protein (ASAP) complex. In this review, we present a summary of the structure of ASAP complex and its localization. Also, we discuss the findings by different groups on various functions of the subunits of the ASAP complex in RNA metabolism. The subunits of the ASAP complex are RNPS1, Acinus and SAP18. Originally, the ASAP complex was thought to link RNA processing with apoptosis. Further studies have shown the role of these components in RNA metabolism of cells, including transcription, splicing, translation and nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). In transcription, RNPS1 is involved in preventing the formation of R-loop, while Acinus and SAP18 suppress transcription with the help of histone deacetylase. On the one hand, individual components of the ASAP complex, namely RNPS1 and Acinus act as splicing activators, whereas on the other hand, in-vitro assay shows that the ASAP complex behaves as splicing repressor. In addition, the individual members of the ASAP complex associates with the exon junction complex (EJC) to play roles in splicing and translation. RNPS1 increases the translation efficiency by participating in the 3'end processing and polysome association of mRNAs. Similarly, during NMD RNPS1 aids in the recruitment of decay factors by interacting with EJC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kusum Kumari Singh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati-781039, Assam, India
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46
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A somatic piRNA pathway in the Drosophila fat body ensures metabolic homeostasis and normal lifespan. Nat Commun 2016; 7:13856. [PMID: 28000665 PMCID: PMC5187580 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In gonadal tissues, the Piwi-interacting (piRNA) pathway preserves genomic integrity by employing 23–29 nucleotide (nt) small RNAs complexed with argonaute proteins to suppress parasitic mobile sequences of DNA called transposable elements (TEs). Although recent evidence suggests that the piRNA pathway may be present in select somatic cells outside the gonads, the role of a non-gonadal somatic piRNA pathway is not well characterized. Here we report a functional somatic piRNA pathway in the adult Drosophila fat body including the presence of the piRNA effector protein Piwi and canonical 23–29 nt long TE-mapping piRNAs. The piwi mutants exhibit depletion of fat body piRNAs, increased TE mobilization, increased levels of DNA damage and reduced lipid stores. These mutants are starvation sensitive, immunologically compromised and short-lived, all phenotypes associated with compromised fat body function. These findings demonstrate the presence of a functional non-gonadal somatic piRNA pathway in the adult fat body that affects normal metabolism and overall organismal health.
The Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway is known to suppress transposable elements in gonadal tissues. Here the authors provide evidence for a functional piRNA pathway in the somatic cells of the Drosophila fat body with roles in metabolism, immunological function and overall health.
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Shimada Y, Mohn F, Bühler M. The RNA-induced transcriptional silencing complex targets chromatin exclusively via interacting with nascent transcripts. Genes Dev 2016; 30:2571-2580. [PMID: 27941123 PMCID: PMC5204350 DOI: 10.1101/gad.292599.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Small RNAs regulate chromatin modification and transcriptional gene silencing across the eukaryotic kingdom. Although these processes have been well studied, fundamental mechanistic aspects remain obscure. Specifically, it is unclear exactly how small RNA-loaded Argonaute protein complexes target chromatin to mediate silencing. Here, using fission yeast, we demonstrate that transcription of the target locus is essential for RNA-directed formation of heterochromatin. However, high transcriptional activity is inhibitory; thus, a transcriptional window exists that is optimal for silencing. We further found that pre-mRNA splicing is compatible with RNA-directed heterochromatin formation. However, the kinetics of pre-mRNA processing is critical. Introns close to the 5' end of a transcript that are rapidly spliced result in a bistable response whereby the target either remains euchromatic or becomes fully silenced. Together, our results discount siRNA-DNA base pairing in RNA-mediated heterochromatin formation, and the mechanistic insights further reveal guiding paradigms for the design of small RNA-directed chromatin silencing studies in multicellular organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Shimada
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabio Mohn
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marc Bühler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
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48
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Production of Small Noncoding RNAs from the flamenco Locus Is Regulated by the gypsy Retrotransposon of Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 2016; 204:631-644. [PMID: 27558137 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.116.187922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Protective mechanisms based on RNA silencing directed against the propagation of transposable elements are highly conserved in eukaryotes. The control of transposable elements is mediated by small noncoding RNAs, which derive from transposon-rich heterochromatic regions that function as small RNA-generating loci. These clusters are transcribed and the precursor transcripts are processed to generate Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and endogenous small interfering RNAs (endo-siRNAs), which silence transposable elements in gonads and somatic tissues. The flamenco locus is a Drosophila melanogaster small RNA cluster that controls gypsy and other transposable elements, and has played an important role in understanding how small noncoding RNAs repress transposable elements. In this study, we describe a cosuppression mechanism triggered by new euchromatic gypsy insertions in genetic backgrounds carrying flamenco alleles defective in gypsy suppression. We found that the silencing of gypsy is accompanied by the silencing of other transposons regulated by flamenco, and of specific flamenco sequences from which small RNAs against gypsy originate. This cosuppression mechanism seems to depend on a post-transcriptional regulation that involves both endo-siRNA and piRNA pathways and is associated with the occurrence of developmental defects. In conclusion, we propose that new gypsy euchromatic insertions trigger a post-transcriptional silencing of gypsy sense and antisense sequences, which modifies the flamenco activity. This cosuppression mechanism interferes with some developmental processes, presumably by influencing the expression of specific genes.
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49
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Pek JW, Osman I, Tay MLI, Zheng RT. Stable intronic sequence RNAs have possible regulatory roles in Drosophila melanogaster. J Cell Biol 2016; 211:243-51. [PMID: 26504165 PMCID: PMC4621838 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201507065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Stable intronic sequence RNAs (sisRNAs) are present in Drosophila melanogaster, and a sisRNA modulates its host gene expression by repressing a long noncoding RNA during embryogenesis. Stable intronic sequence RNAs (sisRNAs) have been found in Xenopus tropicalis, human cell lines, and Epstein-Barr virus; however, the biological significance of sisRNAs remains poorly understood. We identify sisRNAs in Drosophila melanogaster by deep sequencing, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Northern blotting. We characterize a sisRNA (sisR-1) from the regena (rga) locus and show that it can be processed from the precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA). We also document a cis-natural antisense transcript (ASTR) from the rga locus, which is highly expressed in early embryos. During embryogenesis, ASTR promotes robust rga pre-mRNA expression. Interestingly, sisR-1 represses ASTR, with consequential effects on rga pre-mRNA expression. Our results suggest a model in which sisR-1 modulates its host gene expression by repressing ASTR during embryogenesis. We propose that sisR-1 belongs to a class of sisRNAs with probable regulatory activities in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wei Pek
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604
| | - Ismail Osman
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604
| | - Mandy Li-Ian Tay
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604
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50
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Kashima M, Kumagai N, Agata K, Shibata N. Heterogeneity of chromatoid bodies in adult pluripotent stem cells of planarianDugesia japonica. Dev Growth Differ 2016; 58:225-37. [DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Kashima
- Department of Biophysics; Graduate School of Science; Kyoto University; Kitashirakawa-Oiwake Sakyo-ku Kyoto 606-8502 Japan
| | - Nobuyoshi Kumagai
- Department of Biophysics; Graduate School of Science; Kyoto University; Kitashirakawa-Oiwake Sakyo-ku Kyoto 606-8502 Japan
| | - Kiyokazu Agata
- Department of Biophysics; Graduate School of Science; Kyoto University; Kitashirakawa-Oiwake Sakyo-ku Kyoto 606-8502 Japan
| | - Norito Shibata
- Department of Biophysics; Graduate School of Science; Kyoto University; Kitashirakawa-Oiwake Sakyo-ku Kyoto 606-8502 Japan
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