Neuronal Small RNAs Control Behavior Transgenerationally
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ABSTRACT: It is unknown whether the activity of the nervous system can be inherited. In Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes, parental responses can transmit heritable small RNAs that regulate gene expression transgenerationally. In this study we show that a neuronal process can impact the next generations. Neurons-specific synthesis of RDE-4-dependent small RNAs regulates germline amplified endogenous siRNAs and germline gene expression for multiple generations. Further, the production of small RNAs in neurons controls the chemotaxis behavior of the progeny for at least three generations via the germline Argonaute HRDE-1. Among the targets of these small RNAs we identified the conserved gene saeg-2, which is transgenerationally downregulated in the germline. Silencing of saeg-2 following neuronal small RNA biogenesis is required for chemotaxis under stress. Thus, we propose a small RNA-based mechanism for communication of neuronal processes transgenerationally.
ORGANISM(S): Caenorhabditis elegans
PROVIDER: GSE124049 | GEO | 2019/06/05
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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