biostudies-literatureKina HMEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of ScienceMEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)e2419375122https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12184484biostudies-literatureUnknown122(24)Germ cells transmit genetic information to offspring and maintain the genome of the species. In many animals including <i>Drosophila</i>, germ cell formation relies on maternal determinants in the germ plasm. Several proteins present in the germ plasm of oocytes also localize to the perinuclear nuage in nurse cells, where they contribute to the production of PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). These piRNAs guide the silencing of transposons, thereby protecting the germline genome from invading mobile elements. Aubergine (Aub) is a germ plasm/nuage protein and a piRNA-directed endonuclease that inactivates transposons. Aub is also essential for germ plasm assembly. The Aub-bound piRNAs in the germ plasm are inherited by the progeny germline and serve as templates for piRNA biogenesis in the nexProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of AmericaAbundant piRNA production mediated by the &lt;i&gt;Drosophila&lt;/i&gt; GTSF1 homolog Tpp ensures Aubergine localization and germ plasm assembly.PMC1218448417H0368623H0036421H02489Hanyu-Nakamura KNiwa HIzumi NYoshitani TTomari YKina HYamane MNakamura AfalseAbundant piRNA production mediated by the &lt;i&gt;Drosophila&lt;/i&gt; GTSF1 homolog Tpp ensures Aubergine localization and germ plasm assembly.Germ cells transmit genetic information to offspring and maintain the genome of the species. In many animals including <i>Drosophila</i>, germ cell formation relies on maternal determinants in the germ plasm. Several proteins present in the germ plasm of oocytes also localize to the perinuclear nuage in nurse cells, where they contribute to the production of PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). These piRNAs guide the silencing of transposons, thereby protecting the germline genome from invading mobile elements. Aubergine (Aub) is a germ plasm/nuage protein and a piRNA-directed endonuclease that inactivates transposons. Aub is also essential for germ plasm assembly. The Aub-bound piRNAs in the germ plasm are inherited by the progeny germline and serve as templates for piRNA biogenesis in the nex2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Jun2026-07-15T09:07:00.282Z2026-07-02T03:08:42.062ZS-EPMC121844844049318710.1073/pnas.2419375122