RRC ID 80782
Author Du Z, Shi K, Brown JS, He T, Wu WS, Zhang Y, Lee HC, Zhang D.
Title Condensate cooperativity underlies transgenerational gene silencing.
Journal Cell Rep
Abstract Biomolecular condensates have been shown to interact in vivo, yet it is unclear whether these interactions are functionally meaningful. Here, we demonstrate that cooperativity between two distinct condensates-germ granules and P bodies-is required for transgenerational gene silencing in C. elegans. We find that P bodies form a coating around perinuclear germ granules and that P body components CGH-1/DDX6 and CAR-1/LSM14 are required for germ granules to organize into sub-compartments and concentrate small RNA silencing factors. Functionally, while the P body mutant cgh-1 is competent to initially trigger gene silencing, it is unable to propagate the silencing to subsequent generations. Mechanistically, we trace this loss of transgenerational silencing to defects in amplifying secondary small RNAs and the stability of WAGO-4 Argonaute, both known carriers of gene silencing memories. Together, these data reveal that cooperation between condensates results in an emergent capability of germ cells to establish heritable memory.
Volume 42(8)
Pages 112859
Published 2023-8-29
DOI 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112859
PII S2211-1247(23)00870-7
PMID 37505984
PMC PMC10540246
MeSH Animals Caenorhabditis elegans* / genetics Caenorhabditis elegans* / metabolism Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins* / genetics Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins* / metabolism Gene Silencing Germ Cells / metabolism RNA Interference RNA Nucleotidyltransferases / genetics RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
Resource
C.elegans tm1200