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piRNA-guided intron removal from pre-mRNAs regulates density-dependent reproductive strategy
Jing He1, Ya Nan Zhu2, Bingcai Wang2
1State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
Cell Reports
|April 27, 2022
Summary
Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) regulate reproductive strategies in locusts by guiding pre-mRNA splicing in germ cells. This mechanism enhances fecundity and is conserved across species, impacting animal reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Epigenetics
- Molecular Genetics
Background:
- Animal reproductive strategies are influenced by population density, leading to variations in fecundity.
- The underlying molecular mechanisms driving these density-dependent reproductive changes remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) in mediating density-dependent reproductive strategies in migratory locusts.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which piRNAs influence fecundity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of piRNA and Piwi protein expression in locust germlines.
- RNA sequencing to identify piRNA targets.
- Investigation of pre-mRNA splicing modulation by piRNAs and associated proteins.
Main Results:
- Piwi protein Liwi1 and piRNAs are highly expressed in solitarious locusts with higher fecundity.
- piRNAs guide the pre-mRNA splicing of oocyte development genes by recruiting U2AF35 to target introns.
- This piRNA-guided splicing mechanism enhances fecundity and is conserved in Drosophila and mouse germ cells.
Conclusions:
- piRNA-guided pre-mRNA splicing is a key mechanism determining animal reproductive strategies.
- This finding reveals a novel role for piRNAs in regulating fecundity and adapting to environmental conditions like population density.
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