RNF17 blocks promiscuous activity of PIWI proteins in mouse testes

Wasik, K. A., Tam, O. H., Knott, S. R., Falciatori, I., Hammell, M., Vagin, V. V., Hannon, G. J. (June 2015) RNF17 blocks promiscuous activity of PIWI proteins in mouse testes. Genes Dev, 29 (13). pp. 1403-1415. ISSN 1549-5477 (Electronic)0890-9369 (Linking)

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URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26115953
DOI: 10.1101/gad.265215.115

Abstract

PIWI proteins and their associated piRNAs protect germ cells from the activity of mobile genetic elements. Two classes of piRNAs-primary and secondary-are defined by their mechanisms of biogenesis. Primary piRNAs are processed directly from transcripts of piRNA cluster loci, whereas secondary piRNAs are generated in an adaptive amplification loop, termed the ping-pong cycle. In mammals, piRNA populations are dynamic, shifting as male germ cells develop. Embryonic piRNAs consist of both primary and secondary species and are mainly directed toward transposons. In meiotic cells, the piRNA population is transposon-poor and largely restricted to primary piRNAs derived from pachytene piRNA clusters. The transition from the embryonic to the adult piRNA pathway is not well understood. Here we show that RNF17 shapes adult meiotic piRNA content by suppressing the production of secondary piRNAs. In the absence of RNF17, ping-pong occurs inappropriately in meiotic cells. Ping-pong initiates piRNA responses against not only transposons but also protein-coding genes and long noncoding RNAs, including genes essential for germ cell development. Thus, the sterility of Rnf17 mutants may be a manifestation of a small RNA-based autoimmune reaction.

Item Type: Paper
Uncontrolled Keywords: PIWI proteins germ cells piRNAs spermatogenesis transposons
Subjects: bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > protein structure, function, modification > protein types > Piwi protein
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > organelles, types and functions > meiosis
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > piRNA
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL Cancer Center Program > Cancer Genetics
CSHL Cancer Center Program > Gene Regulation and Cell Proliferation
CSHL labs > Hammell M. lab
CSHL labs > Hannon lab
School of Biological Sciences > Publications
Depositing User: Matt Covey
Date: 26 June 2015
Date Deposited: 01 Jul 2015 19:25
Last Modified: 14 Jan 2019 14:41
PMCID: PMC4511215
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/31609

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