Biogenesis and function of tRNA fragments during sperm maturation and fertilization in mammals

• DOI: 10.1126/science.aad6780
• Publication Date: 2016-01-01T03:33:48Z
• Authors: Upasna Sharma; Colin C. Conine; Jeremy M. Shea; Ana Boskovic; Alan G. Derr; Xin Y. Bing; Clemence Belleannee; Alper Kucukural; Ryan W. Serra; Fengyun Sun; Lina Song; Benjamin R. Carone; Emiliano P. Ricci; Xin Z. Li; Lucas Fauquier; Melissa J. Moore; Robert Sullivan; Craig C. Mello; Manuel Garber; Oliver J. Rando
• Keywords: Metabolic pathway

Offspring affected by sperm small RNAs Paternal dietary conditions in mammals influence the metabolic phenotypes of offspring. Although prior work suggests involvement epigenetic pathways, mechanisms remains unclear. Two studies now show that altered paternal diet affects level mouse sperm. Chen et al. injected transfer RNA (tRNA) fragments from males had been kept on a high-fat into normal oocytes. The progeny displayed disorders and concomitant alteration genes pathways. Sharma observed biogenesis function tRNA-derived during maturation. Further understanding which are parental exposure may affect human diseases such as diet-induced disorders. Science , this issue p. 397 391