A TCER-1-siRNA Regulatory Axis Suppresses Innate Immunity in C. elegans
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ABSTRACT: Non-coding small RNAs (sRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression with well-established roles in development and anti-viral defense. However, their role in antibacterial immunity is not well understood. Here, we identify a role for an endogenous small interfering RNA (siRNA) pathway in repressing innate immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans. We show that genes required for the biogenesis or function of WAGO Argonaute-associated siRNAs, called 22G-RNAs, function in a common genetic pathway with the immune-suppressive transcription elongation and splicing factor TCER-1. Loss of tcer-1 leads to reduced levels of 22G-RNAs from a subset of WAGO targets, while mutations in several WAGO 22G-RNA pathway genes phenocopies the enhanced immune-resistance of tcer-1 mutants, indicating that TCER-1 and the WAGO 22G-RNA pathway function within a shared regulatory module to limit antibacterial immunity. However, rather than mediating widespread gene silencing, this regulatory module targets a restricted set of potential immune-relevant effectors, including scrm-4, encoding a phospholipid translocase that promotes antibacterial resistance.
ORGANISM(S): Caenorhabditis elegans
PROVIDER: GSE316795 | GEO | 2026/01/21
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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