PRMT5 and the role of symmetrical dimethylarginine in chromatoid bodies of planarian stem cells

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.076182
• Publication Date: 2012-02-09T04:50:21Z
• Authors: Labib Rouhana; Ana P. Vieira; Rachel H. Roberts...; Phillip A. Newmark
• Keywords: Planarian; Piwi-interacting RNA

Planarian flatworms contain a population of adult stem cells (neoblasts) that proliferate and generate all tissues during growth, regeneration tissue homeostasis. A characteristic feature neoblasts is the presence chromatoid bodies, large cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules morphologically similar to structures present in germline many organisms. This study aims reveal function, identify additional components, planarian bodies. We uncover symmetrical dimethylarginine (sDMA) on body components ortholog protein arginine methyltransferase PRMT5 as enzyme responsible for sDMA modification these proteins. RNA interference-mediated depletion results defects homeostasis regeneration, reduced animal size, number neoblasts, fewer bodies increased levels transposon repetitive-element transcripts. Our suggest PIWI family member SMEDWI-3 one sDMA-containing which methylation depends PRMT5. Additionally, we discover an localized germinal histone H4. new their function cells, also support emerging studies indicative stabilization RNP Piwi-interacting pathway.