An epigenetic role for maternally inherited piRNAs in transposon silencing

ABSTRACT: In plants and mammals, small RNAs indirectly mediate epigenetic inheritance by specifying cytosine methylation. Here, we find that small RNAs themselves serve as vectors for epigenetic information. Crosses between Drosophila strains that differ in the presence of a particular transposon can produce sterile progeny, a phenomenon called hybrid dysgenesis. This phenotype manifests itself only if the transposon is paternally inherited, suggesting maternal transmission of a factor that maintains fertility. In both P- and I-element-mediated hybrid-dysgenesis models, daughters show a markedly different content of piRNAs targeting each element, depending upon its parent of origin. Such differences persist from fertilization through adulthood. This indicates that maternally deposited

ORGANISM(S): Drosophila melanogaster

SUBMITTER: Colin Malone 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-13081 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress