A maternally programmed intergenerational mechanism enables male offspring to make piRNAs from Y-linked precursor RNAs in Drosophila.
Nat Cell Biol
; 25(10): 1495-1505, 2023 Oct.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37723298
ABSTRACT
In animals, PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) direct PIWI proteins to silence complementary targets such as transposons. In Drosophila and other species with a maternally specified germline, piRNAs deposited in the egg initiate piRNA biogenesis in the progeny. However, Y chromosome loci cannot participate in such a chain of intergenerational inheritance. How then can the biogenesis of Y-linked piRNAs be initiated? Here, using Suppressor of Stellate (Su(Ste)), a Y-linked Drosophila melanogaster piRNA locus as a model, we show that Su(Ste) piRNAs are made in the early male germline via 5'-to-3' phased piRNA biogenesis initiated by maternally deposited 1360/Hoppel transposon piRNAs. Notably, deposition of Su(Ste) piRNAs from XXY mothers obviates the need for phased piRNA biogenesis in sons. Together, our study uncovers a developmentally programmed, intergenerational mechanism that allows fly mothers to protect their sons using a Y-linked piRNA locus.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Drosophila Proteins
/
Drosophila
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Nat Cell Biol
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: