scholarly journals Maternally inherited piRNAs direct transient heterochromatin formation at active transposons during early Drosophila embryogenesis

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin H Fabry ◽  
Federica A Falconio ◽  
Fadwa Joud ◽  
Emily K Lythgoe ◽  
Benjamin Czech ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Mobile Element ◽  
Piwi Protein ◽  
Heterochromatin Formation ◽  
Zygotic Transcription ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Pirna Pathway ◽  
Genome Activation

The PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway controls transposon expression in animal germ cells, thereby ensuring genome stability over generations. In Drosophila, piRNAs are intergenerationally inherited through the maternal lineage, and this has demonstrated importance in the specification of piRNA source loci and in silencing of I- and P-elements in the germ cells of daughters. Maternally inherited Piwi protein enters somatic nuclei in early embryos prior to zygotic genome activation and persists therein for roughly half of the time required to complete embryonic development. To investigate the role of the piRNA pathway in the embryonic soma, we created a conditionally unstable Piwi protein. This enabled maternally deposited Piwi to be cleared from newly laid embryos within 30 minutes and well ahead of the activation of zygotic transcription. Examination of RNA and protein profiles over time, and correlation with patterns of H3K9me3 deposition, suggests a role for maternally deposited Piwi in attenuating zygotic transposon expression in somatic cells of the developing embryo. In particular, robust deposition of piRNAs targeting roo, an element whose expression is mainly restricted to embryonic development, results in the deposition of transient heterochromatic marks at active roo insertions. We hypothesize that roo, an extremely successful mobile element, may have adopted a lifestyle of expression in the embryonic soma to evade silencing in germ cells.

scholarly journals Maternally inherited piRNAs direct transient heterochromatin formation at active transposons during early Drosophila embryogenesis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin H. Fabry ◽  
Federica A. Falconio ◽  
Fadwa Joud ◽  
Emily K. Lythgoe ◽  
Benjamin Czech ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Mobile Element ◽  
Piwi Protein ◽  
Heterochromatin Formation ◽  
Zygotic Transcription ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Pirna Pathway ◽  
Genome Activation

The PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway controls transposon expression in animal germ cells, thereby ensuring genome stability over generations. In Drosophila, piRNAs are intergenerationally inherited through the maternal lineage, and this has demonstrated importance in the specification of piRNA source loci and in silencing of I- and P-elements in the germ cells of daughters. Maternally inherited Piwi protein enters somatic nuclei in early embryos prior to zygotic genome activation and persists therein for roughly half of the time required to complete embryonic development. To investigate the role of the piRNA pathway in the embryonic soma, we created a conditionally unstable Piwi protein. This enabled maternally deposited Piwi to be cleared from newly laid embryos within 30 minutes and well ahead of the activation of zygotic transcription. Examination of RNA and protein profiles over time, and correlation with patterns of H3K9me3 deposition, suggests a role for maternally deposited Piwi in attenuating zygotic transposon expression in somatic cells of the developing embryo. In particular, robust deposition of piRNAs targeting roo, an element whose expression is mainly restricted to embryonic development, results in the deposition of transient heterochromatic marks at active roo insertions. We hypothesize that roo, an extremely successful mobile element, may have adopted a lifestyle of expression in the embryonic soma to evade silencing in germ cells.

scholarly journals Whole-Transcriptome Sequencing-Based Analysis of DAZL and Its Interacting Genes during Germ Cells Specification and Zygotic Genome Activation in Chickens

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 8170
Author(s):  
Deivendran Rengaraj ◽  
Sohyoung Won ◽  
Jong Won Han ◽  
DongAhn Yoo ◽  
Heebal Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Transcriptome Sequencing ◽  
Germ Plasm ◽  
Prediction Method ◽  
Zygotic Genome Activation ◽  
Zygotic Transcription ◽  
Whole Transcriptome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Activation ◽  
Whole Transcriptome ◽  
Zygotic Genome

The deleted in azoospermia like (DAZL) is required for germ cells development and maintenance. In chickens, the mRNA and protein of DAZL, a representative maternally inherited germ plasm factor, are detected in the germ plasm of oocyte, zygote, and all stages of the intrauterine embryos. However, it is still insufficient to explain the origin and specification process of chicken germ cells, because the stage at which the zygotic transcription of DAZL occurs and the stage at which the maternal DAZL RNA/protein clears have not yet been fully identified. Moreover, a comprehensive understanding of the expression of DAZL interacting genes during the germ cells specification and development and zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is lacking in chickens. In this study, we identified a set of DAZL interacting genes in chickens using in silico prediction method. Then, we analyzed the whole-transcriptome sequencing (WTS)-based expression of DAZL and its interacting genes in the chicken oocyte, zygote, and Eyal-Giladi and Kochav (EGK) stage embryos (EGK.I to EGK.X). In the results, DAZL transcripts are increased in the zygote (onset of transcription), maintained the increased level until EGK.VI, and decreased from EGK.VIII (possible clearance of maternal RNAs). Among the DAZL interacting genes, most of them are increased either at 1st ZGA or 2nd ZGA, indicating their involvement in germ cells specification and development.

scholarly journals CLAMP and Zelda function together to promote Drosophila zygotic genome activation

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingyue Duan ◽  
Leila Rieder ◽  
Megan M Colonnetta ◽  
Annie Huang ◽  
Mary Mckenney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Chromatin Accessibility ◽  
Zygotic Genome Activation ◽  
Zygotic Transcription ◽  
Pioneer Factor ◽  
Pioneer Transcription Factor ◽  
Genome Activation ◽  
Zygotic Genome

During the essential and conserved process of zygotic genome activation (ZGA), chromatin accessibility must increase to promote transcription. Drosophila is a well-established model for defining mechanisms that drive ZGA. Zelda (ZLD) is a key pioneer transcription factor (TF) that promotes ZGA in the Drosophila embryo. However, many genomic loci that contain GA-rich motifs become accessible during ZGA independent of ZLD. Therefore, we hypothesized that other early TFs that function with ZLD have not yet been identified, especially those that are capable of binding to GA-rich motifs such as CLAMP. Here, we demonstrate that Drosophila embryonic development requires maternal CLAMP to: 1) activate zygotic transcription; 2) increase chromatin accessibility at promoters of specific genes that often encode other essential TFs; 3) enhance chromatin accessibility and facilitate ZLD occupancy at a subset of key embryonic promoters. Thus, CLAMP functions as a pioneer factor which plays a targeted yet essential role in ZGA.

scholarly journals Extensive nuclear gyration and pervasive non-genic transcription during primordial germ cell development in zebrafish

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Redl ◽  
Antonio M. de Jesus Domingues ◽  
Stefanie Möckel ◽  
Willi Salvenmoser ◽  
Maria Mendez-Lago ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cell ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Early Development ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Primordial Germ Cell ◽  
Piwi Protein ◽  
Genital Ridge ◽  
Pathway Activation ◽  
Pirna Pathway

SUMMARYPrimordial germ cells (PGCs) are the precursors of germ cells, which migrate to the genital ridge during early development. Relatively little is known about PGCs after their migration. We studied this post-migratory stage using microscopy and sequencing techniques, and found that many PGC-specific genes, including genes known to induce PGC fate in the mouse, are only activated several days after migration. At this same timepoint, PGC nuclei become extremely gyrated, displaying general opening of chromatin and high levels of transcription. This is accompanied by changes in nuage morphology, expression of large loci, named PERLs, enriched for retro-transposons and piRNAs, and a rise in piRNA biogenesis signatures. Interestingly, no nuclear Piwi protein could be detected at any timepoint, indicating that the zebrafish piRNA pathway is fully cytoplasmic. Our data show that the post-migratory stage of zebrafish PGCs holds many cues to both germ cell fate establishment and piRNA pathway activation.

scholarly journals Contextualizing Autophagy during Gametogenesis and Preimplantation Embryonic Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6313
Author(s):  
Marcelo T. Moura ◽  
Laís B. Latorraca ◽  
Fabíola F. Paula-Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Degradation Pathway ◽  
Environmental Stressors ◽  
Preimplantation Embryos ◽  
Environmental Cues ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Assisted Reproduction Technologies

Mammals face environmental stressors throughout their lifespan, which may jeopardize cellular homeostasis. Hence, these organisms have acquired mechanisms to cope with stressors by sensing, repairing the damage, and reallocating resources to increase the odds of long-term survival. Autophagy is a pro-survival lysosome-mediated cytoplasm degradation pathway for organelle and macromolecule recycling. Furthermore, autophagy efflux increases, and this pathway becomes idiosyncratic depending upon developmental and environmental contexts. Mammalian germ cells and preimplantation embryos are attractive models for dissecting autophagy due to their metastable phenotypes during differentiation and exposure to varying environmental cues. The aim of this review is to explore autophagy during mammalian gametogenesis, fertilization and preimplantation embryonic development by contemplating its physiological role during development, under key stressors, and within the scope of assisted reproduction technologies.

scholarly journals ATRX promotes heterochromatin formation to protect cells from G-quadruplex DNA-mediated stress

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Ching Teng ◽  
Aishwarya Sundaresan ◽  
Ryan O’Hara ◽  
Vincent U. Gant ◽  
Minhua Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Helicase Domain ◽  
Quadruplex Dna ◽  
Heterochromatin Formation ◽  
Replicative Stress ◽  
G4 Dna ◽  
Mutation Burden ◽  
G Quadruplex ◽  
Dna Replication Stress

AbstractATRX is a tumor suppressor that has been associated with protection from DNA replication stress, purportedly through resolution of difficult-to-replicate G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures. While several studies demonstrate that loss of ATRX sensitizes cells to chemical stabilizers of G4 structures, the molecular function of ATRX at G4 regions during replication remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that ATRX associates with a number of the MCM replication complex subunits and that loss of ATRX leads to G4 structure accumulation at newly synthesized DNA. We show that both the helicase domain of ATRX and its H3.3 chaperone function are required to protect cells from G4-induced replicative stress. Furthermore, these activities are upstream of heterochromatin formation mediated by the histone methyltransferase, ESET, which is the critical molecular event that protects cells from G4-mediated stress. In support, tumors carrying mutations in either ATRX or ESET show increased mutation burden at G4-enriched DNA sequences. Overall, our study provides new insights into mechanisms by which ATRX promotes genome stability with important implications for understanding impacts of its loss on human disease.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Transcriptomic and Epigenetic Profiles of Gonadal Primordial Germ Cells of White Leghorn and Green-Legged Partridgelike Chicken Embryos

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1090
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Dunislawska ◽  
Maria Siwek ◽  
Katarzyna Stadnicka ◽  
Marek Bednarczyk
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Germline Stem Cells ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Methylation Analysis ◽  
Global Methylation

The Green-legged Partridgelike fowl is a native, dual-purpose Polish chicken. The White Leghorn has been intensively selected for several decades to mainly improve reproductive traits. Primordial germ cells (PGCs) represent the germline stem cells in chickens and are the only cells that can transfer the information stored in the genetic material from generation to generation. The aim of the study was to carry out a transcriptomic and an epigenetic comparison of the White Leghorn and Green-legged Partridgelike gonadal PGCs (gPGCs) at three developmental stages: days 4.5, 8, and 12 of the embryonic development. RNA and DNA were isolated from collected gPGCs. The RNA was further subjected to microarray analysis. An epigenetic analysis was performed based on the global methylation analysis and qMSP method for the particular silenced genes demonstrated in transcriptomic analysis. Statistically significant differences between the gPGCs from both breeds were detected on the day 8 of embryonic development. Global methylation analysis showed significant changes at the methylation level in the White Leghorn gPGCs on day 8 of embryonic development. The results suggest faster development of Green-legged Partridgelike embryos as compared to White Leghorn embryos. Changes in the levels of gene expression during embryonic development are determined by genetic and environmental factors, and this variability is influenced by breed and gender.

CLAMP regulates Zygotic Genome Activation in Drosophila embryos

Genetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan M Colonnetta ◽  
Juan E Abrahante ◽  
Paul Schedl ◽  
Daryl M Gohl ◽  
Girish Deshpande
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Embryonic Patterning ◽  
Zygotic Genome Activation ◽  
Promoter Sequences ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Zygotic Transcription ◽  
Pioneer Factor ◽  
Genome Activation ◽  
Drosophila Embryos ◽  
Zygotic Genome

Abstract Embryonic patterning is critically dependent on zygotic genome activation (ZGA). In Drosophila melanogaster embryos, the pioneer factor Zelda directs ZGA, possibly in conjunction with other factors. Here we have explored novel involvement of Chromatin-Linked Adapter for MSL Proteins (CLAMP) during ZGA. CLAMP binds thousands of sites genome-wide throughout early embryogenesis. Interestingly, CLAMP relocates to target promoter sequences across the genome when ZGA is initiated. Although there is a considerable overlap between CLAMP and Zelda binding sites, the proteins display distinct temporal dynamics. To assess whether CLAMP occupancy affects gene expression, we analyzed transcriptomes of embryos zygotically compromised for either clamp or zelda and found that transcript levels of many zygotically-activated genes are similarly affected. Importantly, compromising either clamp or zelda disrupted the expression of critical segmentation and sex determination genes bound by CLAMP (and Zelda). Furthermore, clamp knockdown embryos recapitulate other phenotypes observed in Zelda-depleted embryos, including nuclear division defects, centrosome aberrations, and a disorganized actomyosin network. Based on these data, we propose that CLAMP acts in concert with Zelda to regulate early zygotic transcription.

scholarly journals Restricted nucleation and piRNA-mediated establishment of heterochromatin during embryogenesis in Drosophila miranda

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin H.-C. Wei ◽  
Carolus Chan ◽  
Doris Bachtrog
Keyword(s):  
Genome Stability ◽  
Repetitive Sequences ◽  
Developmental Time ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Promoter Regions ◽  
Architectural Feature ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Nucleation Sites ◽  
Zygotic Transcription ◽  
Initial Nucleation

Heterochromatin is a key architectural feature of eukaryotic genomes, crucial for silencing of repetitive elements and maintaining genome stability. Heterochromatin shows stereotypical enrichment patterns around centromeres and repetitive sequences, but the molecular details of how heterochromatin is established during embryogenesis are poorly understood. Here, we map the genome-wide distribution of H3K9me3-dependent heterochromatin in individual embryos of D. miranda at precisely staged developmental time points. We find that canonical H3K9me3 enrichment patterns are established early on before cellularization, and mature into stable and broad heterochromatin domains through development. Intriguingly, initial nucleation sites of H3K9me3 enrichment appear as early as embryonic stage3 (nuclear cycle 9) over transposable elements (TE) and progressively broaden, consistent with spreading to neighboring nucleosomes. The earliest nucleation sites are limited to specific regions of a small number of TE families and often appear over promoter regions, while late nucleation develops broadly across most TEs. Early nucleating TEs are highly targeted by maternal piRNAs and show early zygotic transcription, consistent with a model of co-transcriptional silencing of TEs by small RNAs. Interestingly, truncated TE insertions lacking nucleation sites show significantly reduced enrichment across development, suggesting that the underlying sequences play an important role in recruiting histone methyltransferases for heterochromatin establishment.

scholarly journals Pluripotency factors select gene expression repertoire at Zygotic Genome Activation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meijiang Gao ◽  
Marina Veil ◽  
Marcus Rosenblatt ◽  
Anna Gebhard ◽  
Helge Hass ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Zebrafish Embryos ◽  
Fate Specification ◽  
Pluripotency Factors ◽  
Zygotic Transcription ◽  
Simultaneous Loss ◽  
Genome Activation ◽  
Zygotic Genome

AbstractAwakening of zygotic transcription in animal embryos relies on maternal pioneer transcription factors. The interplay of global and specific functions of these proteins remains poorly understood. Here, we analyzed nucleosome positioning, H3K27 acetylation, transcription, and gastrulation rates in zebrafish embryos lacking pluripotency factors Pou5f3 and Sox19b. We show that the bulk transcriptional onset does not require Sox19b and Pou5f3, but is sensitive to their balance. Pou5f3 docks H3K27ac on the enhancers of genes involved in gastrulation and ventral fate specification. Sox19b facilitates Pou5f3 access to one-third of these enhancers. The genes regulating mesendodermal and dorsal fates are primed for activation independently on Pou5f3 and Sox19b. Strikingly, the loss of either factor results in activation of silent enhancers; simultaneous loss of both leads to premature expression of differentiation genes. Our results uncover how independent activities of maternal Pou5f3 and Sox19b add up or antagonize to determine the early gene expression repertoire.

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