PiRNA-mediated gene regulation and adaptation to sex-specific transposon expression in D. melanogaster male germline.

ABSTRACT: Small noncoding piRNAs act as sequence-specific guides to repress complementary targets in Metazoa. Prior studies in Drosophila ovaries have demonstrated the function of the piRNA pathway in transposon silencing and therefore genome defense. However, the ability of the piRNA program to respond to different transposon landscapes and the role of piRNAs in regulating host gene expression remain poorly understood. Here, we comprehensively analyzed piRNA expression and defined the repertoire of their targets in Drosophila melanogaster testes. Comparison of piRNA programs between sexes revealed sexual dimorphism in piRNA programs that parallel sex-specific transposon expression. Using a novel bioinformatic pipeline, we identified new piRNA clusters and established complex satellite

SUBMITTER: Chen P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8168559 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature