Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA.
Nucleic Acids Res. 2024 Sep 9;52(16):9431-9449. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkae586.
Coordination of gene regulatory networks is necessary for proper execution of cellular programs throughout development. RNA interference (RNAi) is an essential regulatory mechanism in all metazoans. Proper RNAi-mediated gene regulation requires coordination of several RNAi branches to ensure homeostasis. For example, in Caenorhabditis elegans, the Argonautes, ALG-3 and ALG-4, are expressed specifically during spermatogenesis (L4 stage) and bind small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) complementary to sperm-enriched genes. We find that alg-3 and alg-4 are regulated by siRNAs. Our work shows that gene switches are operated via these siRNAs to regulate the Argonautes' expression in a temporal manner. This RNAi-to-RNAi regulatory cascade is essential for coordinating ALG-3/4 pathway function, particularly during heat stress, to provide thermotolerant sperm-based fertility. This work provides insight into one regulatory motif used to maintain RNAi homeostasis, across developmental stages, despite environmental stressors. As RNAi pathways are evolutionarily conserved, other species likely use similar regulatory architectures to maintain RNAi homeostasis.
基因调控网络的协调对于整个发育过程中细胞程序的正常执行是必要的。RNA 干扰(RNAi)是所有后生动物中必不可少的调节机制。适当的 RNAi 介导的基因调控需要协调几个 RNAi 分支,以确保内稳态。例如,在秀丽隐杆线虫中,Argonautes、ALG-3 和 ALG-4 在精子发生(L4 阶段)期间特异性表达,并与富含精子的基因互补的小干扰 RNA(siRNA)结合。我们发现 alg-3 和 alg-4 受到 siRNA 的调节。我们的工作表明,基因开关通过这些 siRNA 进行操作,以在时间上调节 Argonautes 的表达。这种 RNAi-to-RNAi 调节级联对于协调 ALG-3/4 途径的功能至关重要,特别是在热应激期间,以提供耐热的基于精子的生育能力。这项工作提供了一个关于维持 RNAi 内稳态的调节基序的见解,尽管存在环境胁迫,但在发育阶段都能维持。由于 RNAi 途径在进化上是保守的,其他物种可能使用类似的调节结构来维持 RNAi 内稳态。
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