Binding of guide piRNA triggers methylation of the unstructured N-terminal region of Aub leading to assembly of the piRNA amplification complex
In Drosophila, Piwi proteins use guide piRNAs to repress selfish genomic elements, protecting the genomic integrity of gametes and ensuring the fertility of animal species. Efficient transposon repression depends on amplification of piRNA guides in the ping-pong cycle, which in Drosophila entails tight cooperation between two Piwi proteins, Aub and Ago3. Here we show that post-translational modification, symmetric dimethylarginine (sDMA), of Aub is essential for piRNA biogenesis, transposon silencing and fertility. Methylation is triggered by loading of a piRNA guide into Aub, which exposes its unstructured N-terminal region to the PRMT5 methylosome complex. Thus, sDMA modification is a signal that Aub is loaded with piRNA guide. Amplification of piRNA in the ping-pong cycle requires assembly of a tertiary complex scaffolded by Krimper, which simultaneously binds the N-terminal regions of Aub and Ago3. To promote generation of new piRNA, Krimp uses its two Tudor domains to bind Aub and Ago3 in opposite modification and piRNA-loading states. Our results reveal essential functions of post-translational modifications in unstructured regions of Piwi proteins and of Tudor domains capable of discriminating between modification states in piRNA biogenesis and silencing. Overall design: Small RNA isolated from GFP-wtAub and GFP-mdAub in wt ovaries. Total small RNA from heterozygous ovaries, GFP-wtAub rescue ovaries, GFP-mdAub rescue ovaries as well as aub[HN]/[QC] mutant ovaries