RNAi is activated during Drosophila oocyte maturation in a manner dependent on aubergine and spindle-E.
Gene silencing by double-stranded RNA is a widespread phenomenon called RNAi, involving homology-dependent degradation of mRNAs. Here we show that RNAi is established in the Drosophila female germ line. mRNA transcripts are translationally quiescent at the arrested oocyte stage and are insensitive to RNAi. Upon oocyte maturation, transcripts that are translated become sensitive to degradation while untranslated transcripts remain resistant. Mutations in aubergine and spindle-E, members of the PIWI/PAZ and DE-H helicase gene families, respectively, block RNAi activation during egg maturation and perturb translation control during oogenesis, supporting a connection between gene silencing and translation in the oocyte.
Kennerdell
Jason R
JR
Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
Yamaguchi
Shinji
S
Carthew
Richard W
RW
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020868:Gene Silencing / Q000502:physiology*; D008845:Microinjections; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D010448:Peptide Initiation Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D020365:RNA Helicases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D010448:Peptide Initiation Factors; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D014157:Transcription Factors; C436124:aub protein, Drosophila; C061245:hb protein, Drosophila; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; C096355:spn-E protein, Drosophila; D020365:RNA Helicases