Telomeric Trans-Silencing: an epigenetic repression combining RNA silencing and heterochromatin formation

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.0030158.eor
• Publication Date: 2007-08-01T14:40:26Z
• Authors: Thibaut Josse; Laure Teysset; Anne-Laure Todesc...; Clara SIDOR; Dominique Anxolab...; Stephane Ronsseray
• Keywords: Trans-acting siRNA; RNA-induced transcriptional silencing

The study of P-element repression in Drosophila melanogaster led to the discovery telomeric Trans-Silencing Effect (TSE), a mechanism by which transposon or transgene inserted subtelomeric heterochromatin (Telomeric Associated Sequence TAS) has capacity repress trans female germline, homologous transposon, located euchromatin.TSE shows variegation among egg chambers ovaries when silencing is incomplete.Here, we report that TSE displays an epigenetic transmission through meiosis, involves extrachromosomal maternally transmitted factor.We show this highly sensitive mutations affecting both formation (Su(var)205 encoding Heterochromatin Protein 1 and Su(var)3-7) repeat-associated small interfering RNA (or rasiRNA) pathway (aubergine, homeless, armitage, piwi).In contrast, not r2d2, involved siRNA) pathway, nor it mutation loquacious, micro miRNA) pathway.These results, taken together with recent TAS RNAs associated PIWI proteins, support proposition linked formation, was co-opted P element establish its own transposition after invasion D. genome.Therefore, provides insight into genetic properties germline-specific pathway.