scholarly journals A genetic toolkit for studying transposon control in the Drosophila melanogaster ovary

Genetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa F ElMaghraby ◽  
Laszlo Tirian ◽  
Kirsten-André Senti ◽  
Katharina Meixner ◽  
Julius Brennecke
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Cyst Formation ◽  
Resource Center ◽  
Experimental Systems ◽  
Transposon Silencing ◽  
Rna Export ◽  
Nuclear Rna Export ◽  
Pirna Pathway ◽  
Genetic Toolkit

Abstract Argonaute proteins of the PIWI clade complexed with PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) protect the animal germline genome by silencing transposable elements. One of the leading experimental systems for studying piRNA biology is the Drosophila melanogaster ovary. In addition to classical mutagenesis, transgenic RNA interference (RNAi), which enables tissue-specific silencing of gene expression, plays a central role in piRNA research. Here, we establish a versatile toolkit focused on piRNA biology that combines germline transgenic RNAi, GFP marker lines for key proteins of the piRNA pathway, and reporter transgenes to establish genetic hierarchies. We compare constitutive, pan-germline RNAi with an equally potent transgenic RNAi system that is activated only after germ cell cyst formation. Stage-specific RNAi allows us to investigate the role of genes essential for germline cell survival, for example nuclear RNA export or the SUMOylation pathway, in piRNA-dependent and independent transposon silencing. Our work forms the basis for an expandable genetic toolkit provided by the Vienna Drosophila Resource Center.

scholarly journals A genetic toolkit for studying transposon control in the Drosophila melanogaster ovary

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julius Brennecke ◽  
Mostafa F ElMaghraby ◽  
Tirian Laszlo ◽  
Kirsten A Senti ◽  
Katharina Meixner
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Cyst Formation ◽  
Resource Center ◽  
Experimental Systems ◽  
Transposon Silencing ◽  
Rna Export ◽  
Nuclear Rna Export ◽  
Pirna Pathway ◽  
Genetic Toolkit

Argonaute proteins of the PIWI class complexed with PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) protect the animal germline genome by silencing transposable elements. One of the leading experimental systems for studying piRNA biology is the Drosophila melanogaster ovary. In addition to classical mutagenesis, transgenic RNA interference (RNAi), which enables tissue-specific silencing of gene expression, plays a central role in piRNA research. Here, we establish a versatile toolkit focused on piRNA biology that combines germline transgenic RNAi, GFP marker lines for key proteins of the piRNA pathway, and reporter transgenes to establish genetic hierarchies. We compare constitutive, pan-germline RNAi with an equally potent transgenic RNAi system that is activated only after germ cell cyst formation. Stage-specific RNAi allows us to investigate the role of genes essential for germline cell survival, for example nuclear RNA export or the SUMOylation pathway, in piRNA-dependent and independent transposon silencing. Our work forms the basis for an expandable genetic toolkit provided by the Vienna Drosophila Resource Center.

Nuclear RNA export: Possible role of an RNA unwindase activity

1990 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 128
Author(s):  
H SCHRODER ◽  
D UGARKOVIC ◽  
M BACHMANN ◽  
W MULLER
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Rna ◽  
Rna Export ◽  
Nuclear Rna Export

scholarly journals MORC3, a novel MIWI2 association partner, is an epigenetic regulator of piRNA-dependent transposon silencing.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toru Nakano ◽  
Satomi Kuramochi-Miyagawa ◽  
Manabu Nakayama ◽  
Haruhiko Koseki ◽  
Steven Jacobsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
P Element ◽  
Effector Protein ◽  
Transposon Silencing ◽  
Epigenetic Regulator ◽  
Association Partner ◽  
Pirna Pathway

Abstract The PIWI (P-element-induced wimpy testis)-interacting-RNA (piRNA) pathway plays a crucial role in the repression of TE (transposable element) expression via de novo DNA methylation in mouse embryonic male germ cells. Various proteins, including MIWI2 are involved in the process. TE silencing is ensured by piRNA-guided MIWI2 that recruits some effector proteins of the DNA methylation machinery to TE regions. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the methylation is complex and has not been fully elucidated. Here, we identified MORC3 as a novel associating partner of MIWI2 and also a nuclear effector of retrotransposon silencing via piRNA-dependent de novo DNA methylation in embryonic testis. Moreover, we show that MORC3 is important for transcription of piRNA precursors and subsequently affects piRNA production. Thus, we provide the first mechanistic insights into the role of this effector protein in the first stage of piRNA biogenesis in embryonic TE silencing mechanism.

scholarly journals MORC3, a novel MIWI2 association partner, as an epigenetic regulator of piRNA dependent transposon silencing in male germ cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanako Kojima-Kita ◽  
Satomi Kuramochi-Miyagawa ◽  
Manabu Nakayama ◽  
Haruhiko Miyata ◽  
Steven E. Jacobsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
P Element ◽  
Male Germ Cells ◽  
Transposon Silencing ◽  
Association Partner ◽  
Pirna Pathway

AbstractThe PIWI (P-element-induced wimpy testis)-interacting-RNA (piRNA) pathway plays a crucial role in the repression of TE (transposable element) expression via de novo DNA methylation in mouse embryonic male germ cells. Various proteins, including MIWI2 are involved in the process. TE silencing is ensured by piRNA-guided MIWI2 that recruits some effector proteins of the DNA methylation machinery to TE regions. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the methylation is complex and has not been fully elucidated. Here, we identified MORC3 as a novel associating partner of MIWI2 and also a nuclear effector of retrotransposon silencing via piRNA-dependent de novo DNA methylation in embryonic testis. Moreover, we show that MORC3 is important for transcription of piRNA precursors and subsequently affects piRNA production. Thus, we provide the first mechanistic insights into the role of this effector protein in the first stage of piRNA biogenesis in embryonic TE silencing mechanism.

scholarly journals A heterochromatin-specific RNA export pathway facilitates piRNA production

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa F. ElMaghraby ◽  
Peter Refsing Andersen ◽  
Florian Pühringer ◽  
Katharina Meixner ◽  
Thomas Lendl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Export ◽  
Mrna Export ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Rna Surveillance ◽  
Export Pathway ◽  
Transposon Silencing ◽  
Nuclear Rna ◽  
Rna Export ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Pirna Pathway

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) guide transposon silencing in animals. The 22-30nt piRNAs are processed in the cytoplasm from long non-coding RNAs. How piRNA precursors, which often lack RNA processing hallmarks of export-competent transcripts, achieve nuclear export is unknown. Here, we uncover the RNA export pathway specific for piRNA precursors in theDrosophilagermline. This pathway requires Nxf3-Nxt1, a variant of the hetero-dimeric mRNA export receptor Nxf1-Nxt1. Nxf3 interacts with UAP56, a nuclear RNA helicase essential for mRNA export, and CG13741/Bootlegger, which recruits Nxf3-Nxt1 and UAP56 to heterochromatic piRNA source loci. Upon RNA cargo binding, Nxf3 achieves nuclear export via the exportin Crm1, and accumulates together with Bootlegger in peri-nuclear nuage, suggesting that after export, Nxf3-Bootlegger delivers precursor transcripts to the piRNA processing sites. Our findings indicate that the piRNA pathway bypasses nuclear RNA surveillance systems to achieve export of heterochromatic, unprocessed transcripts to the cytoplasm, a strategy also exploited by retroviruses.

scholarly journals Adenovirus Late Gene Expression Does Not Require a Rev-Like Nuclear RNA Export Pathway

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (14) ◽  
pp. 6684-6688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Rabino ◽  
Anders Aspegren ◽  
Kara Corbin-Lickfett ◽  
Eileen Bridge
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Export ◽  
Nuclear Export Signal ◽  
Late Gene Expression ◽  
Export Pathway ◽  
Early Proteins ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Rna Export ◽  
Nuclear Rna Export ◽  
Export Signal

ABSTRACT Adenovirus late mRNA export is facilitated by viral early proteins of 55 and 34 kDa. The 34-kDa protein contains a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES) similar to that of the human immunodeficiency virus Rev protein. It was proposed that the 34-kDa protein might facilitate the export of adenovirus late mRNA through a Rev-like NES-mediated export pathway. We have tested the role of NES-mediated RNA export during adenovirus infection, and we find that it is not essential for the expression of adenovirus late genes.

scholarly journals Nuclear RNA export factor variant initiates piRNA-guided co-transcriptional silencing

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kensaku Murano ◽  
Yuka W. Iwasaki ◽  
Hirotsugu Ishizu ◽  
Akane Mashiko ◽  
Aoi Shibuya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Transcriptional Silencing ◽  
List Type ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Heterochromatin Formation ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Nuclear Rna ◽  
Rna Export ◽  
Nuclear Rna Export ◽  
Pirna Pathway

SummaryThe PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway preserves genomic integrity by repressing transposable elements (TEs) in animal germ cells. Among PIWI-clade proteins in Drosophila, Piwi transcriptionally silences its targets through interactions with cofactors, including Panoramix (Panx) and forms heterochromatin characterized by H3K9me3 and H1. Here, we identified Nxf2, a nuclear RNA export factor (NXF) variant, as a protein that forms complexes with Piwi, Panx, and p15. Panx-Nxf2-p15 complex formation is necessary in the silencing by stabilizing protein levels of Nxf2 and Panx. Notably, ectopic targeting of Nxf2 initiates co-transcriptional repression of the target reporter in a manner independent of H3K9me3 marks or H1. However, continuous silencing requires HP1a and H1. In addition, Nxf2 directly interacts with target TE transcripts in a Piwi-dependent manner. These findings suggest a model in which the Nxf2-Panx-p15 complex enforces the association of Piwi with target transcripts to trigger co-transcriptional repression, prior to heterochromatin formation in the nuclear piRNA pathway.HighlightsNxf2 plays an essential role in the Piwi–piRNA pathwayFormation of Piwi-Panx-Nxf2-p15 (PPNP) complexes stabilizes both Panx and Nxf2The PPNP complex triggers transcriptional silencing before heterochromatin formationNxf2 directly binds to target transcripts in a Piwi-dependent manner

scholarly journals The “Special” crystal-Stellate System in Drosophila melanogaster Reveals Mechanisms Underlying piRNA Pathway-Mediated Canalization

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Pia Bozzetti ◽  
Laura Fanti ◽  
Silvia Di Tommaso ◽  
Lucia Piacentini ◽  
Maria Berloco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Repetitive Elements ◽  
Genome Integrity ◽  
Molecular Pathways ◽  
Phenotypic Manifestation ◽  
Pirna Pathway ◽  
Shed Light

The Stellate-made crystals formation in spermatocytes is the phenotypic manifestation of a disrupted crystal-Stellate interaction in testes of Drosophila melanogaster. Stellate silencing is achieved by the piRNA pathway, but many features still remain unknown. Here we outline the important role of the crystal-Stellate modifiers. These have shed light on the piRNA pathways that defend genome integrity against transposons and other repetitive elements in the gonads. In particular, we illustrate the finding that HSP90 participates in the molecular pathways of piRNA production. This observation has relevance for the mechanisms underlying the evolutionary canalization process.

scholarly journals A Pandas complex adapted for piRNA-guided transposon silencing

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kang Zhao ◽  
Sha Cheng ◽  
Na Miao ◽  
Ping Xu ◽  
Xiaohua Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Export ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Nuclear Retention ◽  
Heterochromatin Formation ◽  
Transposon Silencing ◽  
Uba Domain ◽  
Rna Export ◽  
Nascent Transcripts ◽  
Functional Analyses ◽  
Pirna Pathway

AbstractThe repression of transposons by the Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway is essential to protect animal germ cells. In Drosophila ovaries, Panoramix (Panx) enforces transcriptional silencing by binding to the target-engaged Piwi-piRNA complex, although the precise mechanisms by which this occurs remain elusive. Here, we show that Panx functions together with a germline specific paralogue of a nuclear export factor, dNxf2, and its cofactor dNxt1 (p15), as a ternary complex to suppress transposon expression. Structural and functional analyses demonstrate that dNxf2 binds Panx via its UBA domain, which plays an important role in transposon silencing. Unexpectedly, dNxf2 interacts directly with dNxf1 (TAP), a general nuclear export factor. As a result, dNxf2 prevents dNxf1 from binding to the FG repeats of the nuclear pore complex, a process required for proper RNA export. Transient tethering of dNxf2 to nascent transcripts leads to their nuclear retention. Therefore, we propose that dNxf2 may function as a Pandas (Panoramix-dNxf2 dependent TAP/p15 silencing) complex, which counteracts the canonical RNA exporting machinery and restricts transposons to the nuclear peripheries. Our findings may have broader implications for understanding how RNA metabolism modulates epigenetic gene silencing and heterochromatin formation.

scholarly journals The Ebola Virus Nucleoprotein Recruits the Nuclear RNA Export Factor NXF1 into Inclusion Bodies to Facilitate Viral Protein Expression

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Wendt ◽  
Janine Brandt ◽  
Bianca S. Bodmer ◽  
Sven Reiche ◽  
Marie Luisa Schmidt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Viral Protein ◽  
Inclusion Bodies ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Nuclear Rna ◽  
Rna Export ◽  
Nuclear Rna Export

Ebola virus (EBOV) causes severe outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fever in humans. While virus-host interactions are promising targets for antivirals, there is only limited knowledge regarding the interactions of EBOV with cellular host factors. Recently, we performed a genome-wide siRNA screen that identified the nuclear RNA export factor 1 (NXF1) as an important host factor for the EBOV life cycle. NXF1 is a major component of the nuclear mRNA export pathway that is usurped by many viruses whose life cycles include nuclear stages. However, the role of NXF1 in the life cycle of EBOV, a virus replicating in cytoplasmic inclusion bodies, remains unknown. In order to better understand the role of NXF1 in the EBOV life cycle, we performed a combination of co-immunoprecipitation and double immunofluorescence assays to characterize the interactions of NXF1 with viral proteins and RNAs. Additionally, using siRNA-mediated knockdown of NXF1 together with functional assays, we analyzed the role of NXF1 in individual aspects of the virus life cycle. With this approach we identified the EBOV nucleoprotein (NP) as a viral interaction partner of NXF1. Further studies revealed that NP interacts with the RNA-binding domain of NXF1 and competes with RNA for this interaction. Co-localization studies showed that RNA binding-deficient, but not wildtype NXF1, accumulates in NP-derived inclusion bodies, and knockdown experiments demonstrated that NXF1 is necessary for viral protein expression, but not for viral RNA synthesis. Finally, our results showed that NXF1 interacts with viral mRNAs, but not with viral genomic RNAs. Based on these results we suggest a model whereby NXF1 is recruited into inclusion bodies to promote the export of viral mRNA:NXF1 complexes from these sites. This would represent a novel function for NXF1 in the life cycle of cytoplasmically replicating viruses, and may provide a basis for new therapeutic approaches against EBOV, and possibly other emerging viruses.

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