piRNAs initiate transcriptional silencing of spermatogenic genes during C. elegans germline development.
Dev Cell
; 57(2): 180-196.e7, 2022 01 24.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34921763
ABSTRACT
Eukaryotic genomes harbor invading transposable elements that are silenced by PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) to maintain genome integrity in animal germ cells. However, whether piRNAs also regulate endogenous gene expression programs remains unclear. Here, we show that C. elegans piRNAs trigger the transcriptional silencing of hundreds of spermatogenic genes during spermatogenesis, promoting sperm differentiation and function. This silencing signal requires piRNA-dependent small RNA biogenesis and loading into downstream nuclear effectors, which correlates with the dynamic reorganization of two distinct perinuclear biomolecular condensates present in germ cells. In addition, the silencing capacity of piRNAs is temporally counteracted by the Argonaute CSR-1, which targets and licenses spermatogenic gene transcription. The spatial and temporal overlap between these opposing small RNA pathways contributes to setting up the timing of the spermatogenic differentiation program. Thus, our work identifies a prominent role for piRNAs as direct regulators of endogenous transcriptional programs during germline development and gamete differentiation.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Espermatogénesis
/
Regulación del Desarrollo de la Expresión Génica
/
ARN Interferente Pequeño
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Dev Cell
Asunto de la revista:
EMBRIOLOGIA
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Francia