Environmentally-induced epigenetic conversion of a piRNA cluster.

ABSTRACT: Transposable element (TE) activity is repressed in animal gonads by PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) produced by piRNA clusters. Current models in flies propose that germinal piRNA clusters are functionally defined by the maternal inheritance of piRNAs produced during the previous generation. Taking advantage of an inactive, but ready to go, cluster of P-element derived transgene insertions in Drosophila melanogaster, we show here that raising flies at high temperature (29°C) instead of 25°C triggers the stable conversion of this locus from inactive into actively producing functional piRNAs. The increase of antisense transcripts from the cluster at 29°C combined with the requirement of transcription of euchromatic homologous sequences, suggests a role of double stranded RNA in

SUBMITTER: Casier K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6420265 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature