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Key role of piRNAs in telomeric chromatin maintenance and telomere nuclear positioning in Drosophila germline

ABSTRACT: Background. Telomeric small RNAs related to PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have been described in various eukaryotes; however, their role in germline-specific telomere function remains poorly understood. Using a Drosophila model, we performed an in-depth study of the biogenesis of telomeric piRNAs and their function in telomere homeostasis in the germline. Results To fully characterize telomeric piRNA clusters, we integrated the data obtained from analysis of endogenous telomeric repeats, as well as transgenes inserted into different telomeric and subtelomeric regions. The small RNA-seq data from strains carrying telomeric transgenes demonstrated that all transgenes belong to a class of dual-strand piRNA clusters; however, their capacity to produce piRNAs varies significantly. Rhino, a paralog of heterochromatic protein 1 (HP1) expressed exclusively in the germline, is associated with all telomeric transgenes, but its enrichment correlates with the abundance of transgenic piRNAs. It is likely that this heterogeneity is determined by the sequence peculiarities of telomeric retrotransposons. In contrast to the heterochromatic non-telomeric germline piRNA clusters, piRNA loss leads to a dramatic decrease in HP1, Rhino, and trimethylated histone H3 lysine 9 in telomeric regions. Therefore, the presence of piRNAs is required for the maintenance of telomere chromatin in the germline. Moreover, piRNA loss causes telomere translocation from the nuclear periphery toward the nuclear interior but does not affect telomere end capping. Analysis of the telomere-associated sequences (TASs) chromatin revealed strong tissue specificity. In the germline, TASs are enriched with HP1 and Rhino, in contrast to somatic tissues, where they are repressed by Polycomb group proteins. Conclusions piRNAs play an essential role in the assembly of telomeric chromatin, as well as in nuclear telomere positioning in the germline. Telomeric arrays and TASs belong to a unique type of Rhino-dependent piRNA clusters with transcripts that serve simultaneously as piRNA precursors and as their only targets. Telomeric chromatin is highly sensitive to piRNA loss, implying the existence of a novel developmental checkpoint that depends on telomere integrity in the germline.

ORGANISM(S): Drosophila melanogaster

PROVIDER: GSE98981 | GEO | 2018/07/12

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Small non-coding RNAs that associate with Piwi proteins, called piRNAs, serve as guides for repression of diverse transposable elements in germ cells of Metazoa. In Drosophila, the genomic regions that give rise to piRNAs, the so-called piRNA clusters, are transcribed to generate long precursor molecules that are processed into mature piRNAs. How genomic regions that give rise to piRNA precursor transcripts are differentiated from the rest of the genome and how these transcripts are specifically channeled into the piRNA biogenesis pathway are not known. We found that trans-generationally inherited piRNAs provide the critical trigger for piRNA production from homologous genomic regions in the next generation by two different mechanisms. First, inherited piRNAs enhance processing of homologous transcripts into mature piRNAs by initiating the ping-pong cycle in the cytoplasm. Second, inherited piRNAs induce installment of the H3K9me3 mark on genomic piRNA cluster sequences. The HP1 homolog Rhino binds to the H3K9me3 mark through its chromodomain and is enriched over piRNA clusters. Rhino recruits the piRNA biogenesis factor Cutoff to piRNA clusters and is required for efficient transcription of piRNA precursors. We propose that trans-generationally inherited piRNAs act as an epigenetic memory for identification of substrates for piRNA biogenesis on two levels, by inducing a permissive chromatin environment for piRNA precursor synthesis and by enhancing processing of these precursors. sequencing of argonaute-bound and total small RNAs from ovaries of different fly crosses: maternal deposition (MD) crosses, in which piRNAs from the P1152 locus are transmitted into the next generation through the mother. No maternak deposition (NMD) crosses, which are reciprocal to the MD crosses. Subsequently, no piRNAs from the P1152 locus are transmitted into the next generation. The strain P-1152, that carries insertion of P{lArB} construct in telomeric sequences of X chromosome (site 1A) is described in (Roche and Rio 1998). The strain BC69 that has insertion of P{A92} construct at a euchromatic location on chromosome 2L (site 35B10-35C1) is described in (Lemaitre et al. 1993).Both stocks were a generous gift from S. Ronsseray.

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Key role of piRNAs in telomeric chromatin maintenance and telomere nuclear positioning in Drosophila germline

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