Project description:We analyzed the C. elegans small RNA response to high copy transgene sequences expressed in the soma in a wild type and an eri-6/7 mutant background. We also analyzed small RNA defects in the arl-8(tm2472) mutant. Transgene siRNAs are 22 nt long, mostly antisense, and correspond to the promoter, coding regions, the 3'UTR and plamsid sequences present on the transgene. Transgene siRNAs are decreased in the eri-6/7 mutant. In the arl-8 mutant, 26G siRNAs in the ALG-3/4 dependent endogenous RNAi pathway are decreased. Sequencing small RNAs from C. elegans transgenic strains and mutants.
Project description:We analyzed the C. elegans small RNA response to high copy transgene sequences expressed in the soma in a wild type and an eri-6/7 mutant background. We also analyzed small RNA defects in the arl-8(tm2472) mutant. Transgene siRNAs are 22 nt long, mostly antisense, and correspond to the promoter, coding regions, the 3'UTR and plamsid sequences present on the transgene. Transgene siRNAs are decreased in the eri-6/7 mutant. In the arl-8 mutant, 26G siRNAs in the ALG-3/4 dependent endogenous RNAi pathway are decreased.
Project description:Argonaute-associated siRNAs and Piwi-associated piRNAs have overlapping roles in silencing mobile genetic elements in animals. In C. elegans, mutator-class (mut) genes mediate siRNA-guided repression of transposons as well as exogenous RNA-directed gene silencing (RNAi), but their roles in endogenous RNA silencing pathways are not well understood. To characterize the endogenous small RNAs dependent on mutator-class genes, small RNA populations from a null allele of mut-16, as well as a regulatory mut-16(mg461) allele that disables only somatic RNAi, were subjected to deep sequencing.
Project description:piRNAs are required to maintain germline integrity and fertility but their mechanism of action is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that C. elegans piRNAs silence transcripts in trans through imperfectly complementary sites. We find that target silencing is independent of Piwi endonuclease activity or “slicing”. Instead, we show that piRNAs initiate a localized secondary endogenous small interfering RNA (endo-siRNA) response. Endogenous protein-coding gene, pseudogene and transposon transcripts exhibit Piwi-dependent endo-siRNAs at sites complementary to piRNAs and are derepressed in Piwi mutants. Genomic loci of piRNA biogenesis are depleted of protein-coding genes but not pseudogenes or transposons. Our data suggest that nematode piRNA clusters are evolving to generate piRNAs against active mobile elements. Thus, piRNAs provide heritable, sequence-specific triggers for RNAi in C. elegans.
Project description:Argonaute-associated siRNAs and Piwi-associated piRNAs have overlapping roles in silencing mobile genetic elements in animals. In C. elegans, mutator-class (mut) genes mediate siRNA-guided repression of transposons as well as exogenous RNA-directed gene silencing (RNAi), but their roles in endogenous RNA silencing pathways are not well understood. To characterize the endogenous small RNAs dependent on mutator-class genes, small RNA populations from a null allele of mut-16, as well as a regulatory mut-16(mg461) allele that disables only somatic RNAi, were subjected to deep sequencing. Small RNA analysis in wild type and mut-16 mutant C. elegans strains
Project description:piRNAs are required to maintain germline integrity and fertility but their mechanism of action is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that C. elegans piRNAs silence transcripts in trans through imperfectly complementary sites. We find that target silencing is independent of Piwi endonuclease activity or “slicing”. Instead, we show that piRNAs initiate a localized secondary endogenous small interfering RNA (endo-siRNA) response. Endogenous protein-coding gene, pseudogene and transposon transcripts exhibit Piwi-dependent endo-siRNAs at sites complementary to piRNAs and are derepressed in Piwi mutants. Genomic loci of piRNA biogenesis are depleted of protein-coding genes but not pseudogenes or transposons. Our data suggest that nematode piRNA clusters are evolving to generate piRNAs against active mobile elements. Thus, piRNAs provide heritable, sequence-specific triggers for RNAi in C. elegans. Affymetrix mRNA expression data from wild-type and two independent prg-1;prg-2 double mutant C. elegans strains (mRNA)
Project description:RNA interference (RNAi) is a potent mechanism for down-regulating gene expression. Conserved RNAi pathway components are found in animals, plants, fungi and other eukaryotes. In C. elegans, the RNAi response is greatly amplified by the synthesis of abundant secondary siRNAs. Exogenous double stranded RNA is processed by Dicer and RDE-1/Argonaute into primary siRNA that guides target mRNA recognition. The RDE-10/RDE-11 complex and the RNA dependent RNA polymerase RRF-1 then engage the target mRNA for secondary siRNA synthesis. However, the molecular link between primary siRNA production and secondary siRNA synthesis remains largely unknown. Furthermore, it is unclear if the sub-cellular sites for target mRNA recognition and degradation coincide with sites where siRNA synthesis and amplification occur. In the C. elegans germline, cytoplasmic P granules at the nuclear pores and perinuclear Mutator foci contribute to target mRNA surveillance and siRNA amplification, respectively. We report that RDE-12, a conserved FG domain containing DEAD-box helicase, localizes in P-granules and cytoplasmic foci that are enriched in RSD-6 but are excluded from the Mutator foci. Our results suggest that RDE-12 promotes secondary siRNA synthesis by orchestrating the recruitment of RDE-10 and RRF-1 to primary siRNA targeted mRNA in distinct cytoplasmic compartments.
Project description:piRNAs are required to maintain germline integrity and fertility but their mechanism of action is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that C. elegans piRNAs silence transcripts in trans through imperfectly complementary sites. We find that target silencing is independent of Piwi endonuclease activity or “slicing”. Instead, we show that piRNAs initiate a localized secondary endogenous small interfering RNA (endo-siRNA) response. Endogenous protein-coding gene, pseudogene and transposon transcripts exhibit Piwi-dependent endo-siRNAs at sites complementary to piRNAs and are derepressed in Piwi mutants. Genomic loci of piRNA biogenesis are depleted of protein-coding genes but not pseudogenes or transposons. Our data suggest that nematode piRNA clusters are evolving to generate piRNAs against active mobile elements. Thus, piRNAs provide heritable, sequence-specific triggers for RNAi in C. elegans.