Yb integrates piRNA intermediates and processing factors into perinuclear bodies to enhance piRISC assembly

Yukiko Murota, Hirotsugu Ishizu, Shinichi Nakagawa, Yuka W. Iwasaki, Shinsuke Shibata, Miharu K. Kamatani, Kuniaki Saito, Hideyuki Okano, Haruhiko Siomi, Mikiko C. Siomi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) direct Piwi to repress transposons and maintain genome integrity in Drosophila ovarian somatic cells. piRNA maturation and association with Piwi occur at perinuclear Yb bodies, the centers of piRNA biogenesis. Here, we show that piRNA intermediates arising from the piRNA cluster flamenco ( flam) localize to perinuclear foci adjacent to Yb bodies, termed Flam bodies. RNAi-based screening of piRNA factors revealed that Flam body formation depends on Yb, the core component of Yb bodies, while Piwi and another Yb body component, Armitage, are dispensable forformation. Abolishing the RNA-binding activity of Yb disrupts both Flam bodies and Yb bodies. Yb directly binds flam, but not transcripts from neighboring protein-coding genes. Thus, Yb integrates piRNA intermediates and piRNA processing factors selectively into Flam bodies and Yb bodies, respectively. We suggest that Yb is a key upstream factor in the cytoplasmic phase of the piRNA pathway in ovarian somatic cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)103-113
Number of pages11
JournalCell Reports
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014 Jul 10

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)

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