The histone demethylase Kdm3 prevents auto-immune piRNAs production in <i>Drosophila</i>.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 37027460.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/sciadv.ade3872 and PMC identifier 10081847.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Genome integrity of the animal germline is protected from transposable element activity by PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). While piRNA biogenesis is intensively explored, little is known about the genetical determination of piRNA clusters, the genomic sources of piRNAs. Using a bimodal epigenetic state piRNA cluster (<i>BX2</i>), we identified the histone demethylase Kdm3 as being able to prevent a cryptic piRNA production. In the absence of Kdm3, dozens of coding gene-containing regions become genuine germline dual-strand piRNA clusters. Eggs laid by <i>Kdm3</i> mutant females show developmental defects phenocopying loss of function of genes embedded into the additional piRNA clusters, suggesting an inheritance of functional ovarian "auto-immune" piRNAs. Antagonizing piRNA cluster determination through chromatin modifications appears crucial to prevent auto-immune genic piRNAs production.
Medical subject headings
- Drosophila
- Drosophila Proteins