A Translation-Activating Function of MIWI/piRNA during Mouse Spermiogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Spermiogenesis is a highly orchestrated developmental process during which chromatin condensation decouples transcription from translation. Spermiogenic mRNAs are transcribed earlier and stored in a translationally inert state until needed for translation; however, it remains largely unclear how such repressed mRNAs become activated during spermiogenesis. We previously reported that the MIWI/piRNA machinery is responsible for mRNA elimination during late spermiogenesis in preparation for spermatozoa production. Here we unexpectedly discover that the same machinery is also responsible for activating translation of a subset of spermiogenic mRNAs to coordinate with morphological transformation into spermatozoa. Such action requires specific base-pairing interactions of piRNAs with target mRNA

SUBMITTER: Dai P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8139323 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature