biostudies-literatureDuc CARCUniversity of Georgia Research FoundationIDEX-ISITEAgence National de la Recherche127https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6587276biostudies-literatureUnknown20(1)<h4>Background</h4>For species survival, the germline must faithfully transmit genetic information to the progeny. Transposable elements (TEs) constitute a significant threat to genome stability due to their mobility. In the metazoan germline, their mobilization is limited by a class of small RNAs called PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) produced by dedicated genomic loci called piRNA clusters. Although the piRNA pathway is an adaptive genomic immunity system, it remains unclear how the germline gains protection from a new transposon invasion.<h4>Results</h4>To address this question, we analyze Drosophila melanogaster lines harboring a deletion within flamenco, a major piRNA cluster specifically expressed in somatic follicular cells. This deletion leads to derepression of the retrotransposon Genome biologyTrapping a somatic endogenous retrovirus into a germline piRNA cluster immunizes the germline against further invasion.PMC658727616-IDEX-0001ANR-EpiTETVaury CDuc CMouniee NYoth MBergman CMJensen SBrasset EfalseTrapping a somatic endogenous retrovirus into a germline piRNA cluster immunizes the germline against further invasion.<h4>Background</h4>For species survival, the germline must faithfully transmit genetic information to the progeny. Transposable elements (TEs) constitute a significant threat to genome stability due to their mobility. In the metazoan germline, their mobilization is limited by a class of small RNAs called PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) produced by dedicated genomic loci called piRNA clusters. Although the piRNA pathway is an adaptive genomic immunity system, it remains unclear how the germline gains protection from a new transposon invasion.<h4>Results</h4>To address this question, we analyze Drosophila melanogaster lines harboring a deletion within flamenco, a major piRNA cluster specifically expressed in somatic follicular cells. This deletion leads to derepression of the retrotransposon 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Jun2025-04-04T18:58:00.302Z2019-07-24T07:25:14ZS-EPMC65872763122701310.1186/s13059-019-1736-x