| RRC ID |
30642
|
| Author |
Conine CC, Moresco JJ, Gu W, Shirayama M, Conte D Jr, Yates JR 3rd, Mello CC.
|
| Title |
Argonautes promote male fertility and provide a paternal memory of germline gene expression in C. elegans.
|
| Journal |
Cell
|
| Abstract |
During each life cycle, germ cells preserve and pass on both genetic and epigenetic information. In C. elegans, the ALG-3/4 Argonaute proteins are expressed during male gametogenesis and promote male fertility. Here, we show that the CSR-1 Argonaute functions with ALG-3/4 to positively regulate target genes required for spermiogenesis. Our findings suggest that ALG-3/4 functions during spermatogenesis to amplify a small RNA signal that represents an epigenetic memory of male-specific gene expression. CSR-1, which is abundant in mature sperm, appears to transmit this memory to offspring. Surprisingly, in addition to small RNAs targeting male-specific genes, we show that males also harbor an extensive repertoire of CSR-1 small RNAs targeting oogenesis-specific mRNAs. Together, these findings suggest that C. elegans sperm transmit not only the genome but also epigenetic binary signals in the form of Argonaute/small RNA complexes that constitute a memory of gene expression in preceding generations.
|
| Volume |
155(7)
|
| Pages |
1532-44
|
| Published |
2013-12-19
|
| DOI |
10.1016/j.cell.2013.11.032
|
| PII |
S0092-8674(13)01483-9
|
| PMID |
24360276
|
| PMC |
PMC3924572
|
| MeSH |
Animals
Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism*
Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
Epigenesis, Genetic*
Female
Male
RNA, Small Untranslated / metabolism
RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
Signal Transduction
Spermatogenesis*
Spermatozoa
Transcription, Genetic
|
| IF |
38.637
|
| Times Cited |
76
|
|
WOS Category
|
BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
CELL BIOLOGY
|
| Resource |
| C.elegans |
tm1155
tm1361
tm892 |
