title: Dicer-1 is a key enzyme in the regulation of oogenesis in panoistic ovaries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In insects, the action of microRNAs (miRNAs) on oogenesis has been explored only in dipterans, which possess meroistic ovaries, a highly modified ovarian type. Here we study miRNA function in the most primitive, panoistic type of ovaries using the phylogenetically basal insect Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera, Blattellidae) as model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dicer-1 (Dcr1), a key enzyme in miRNA biogenesis, was depleted using RNAi. Females treated with double-stranded RNA targeting Dicer-1, exhibited deep alterations in oocyte development; among them, the follicular epithelia of the basal oocytes did not develop, thus resulting in sterile females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These effects derived from the absence of Dicer-1 suggest that miRNAs are crucial for the regulation of oogenesis in panoistic ovaries, the most primitive insect ovarian type.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (Universitat Pompeu Fabra-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas), 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Erica Donato
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Maria-Dolors
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Piulachs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020048:Blattellidae / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D004330:Drosophila / Q000378:metabolism; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D007313:Insecta / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D007605:Juvenile Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D009865:Oocytes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D010053:Ovary / Q000254:growth & development; D020365:RNA Helicases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference; D043244:Ribonuclease III / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D007605:Juvenile Hormones; D035683:MicroRNAs; C515033:Dcr-1 protein, Drosophila; D043244:Ribonuclease III; D020365:RNA Helicases