Piwi-interacting RNAs protect DNA against loss during oxytricha genome rearrangement

Wenwen Fang, Xing Wang, John R. Bracht, Mariusz Nowacki, Laura F. Landweber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Genome duality in ciliated protozoa offers a unique system to showcase their epigenome as a model of inheritance. In Oxytricha, the somatic genome is responsible for vegetative growth, whereas the germline contributes DNA to the next sexual generation. Somatic nuclear development removes all transposons and other so-called "junk" DNA, which comprise ∼95% of the germline. We demonstrate that Piwi-interacting small RNAs (piRNAs) from the maternal nucleus can specify genomic regions for retention in this process. Oxytricha piRNAs map primarily to the somatic genome, representing the ∼5% of the germline that is retained. Furthermore, injection of synthetic piRNAs corresponding to normally deleted regions leads to their retention in later generations. Our findings highlight small RNAs as powerful transgenerational carriers of epigenetic information for genome programming.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1243-1255
Number of pages13
JournalCell
Volume151
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 7 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Piwi-interacting RNAs protect DNA against loss during oxytricha genome rearrangement'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this