Environmentally-induced epigenetic conversion of a piRNA cluster

eLife

Emilie Brasset¹  Nathalie Gueguen¹  Chantal Vaury¹  Laure Teysset²  Elise Viodé²  Valérie Delmarre²  Karine Casier²  Catherine Hermant²  Stéphane Ronsseray²  Antoine Boivin² 

[1] GReD, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, BP 10448, Clermont-Ferrand, France;Laboratoire Biologie du Développement, UMR7622, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Paris, France;

关键词: epigenetics;    germline;    non coding small RNA;    transposable element;    temperature;    heterochromatin;   

DOI  :  10.7554/eLife.39842

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Transposable element (TE) activity is repressed in animal gonads by PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) produced by piRNA clusters. Current models in flies propose that germinal piRNA clusters are functionally defined by the maternal inheritance of piRNAs produced during the previous generation. Taking advantage of an inactive, but ready to go, cluster of P-element derived transgene insertions in Drosophila melanogaster, we show here that raising flies at high temperature (29°C) instead of 25°C triggers the stable conversion of this locus from inactive into actively producing functional piRNAs. The increase of antisense transcripts from the cluster at 29°C combined with the requirement of transcription of euchromatic homologous sequences, suggests a role of double stranded RNA in the production of de novo piRNAs. This report describes the first case of the establishment of an active piRNA cluster by environmental changes in the absence of maternal inheritance of homologous piRNAs.Editorial note: This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that all the issues have been addressed (see decision letter).

【 授权许可】

Unknown