RNA degradation is required for the germ-cell to maternal transition in Drosophila

• Published in: Current biology Vol. 31; no. 14; pp. 2984 - 2994.e7
• Main Authors: Blatt, Patrick, Wong-Deyrup, Siu Wah, McCarthy, Alicia, Breznak, Shane, Hurton, Matthew D., Upadhyay, Maitreyi, Bennink, Benjamin, Camacho, Justin, Lee, Miler T., Rangan, Prashanth
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 26.07.2021
• Subjects: Animals; degradation; Drosophila; Drosophila - genetics; Drosophila - metabolism; Drosophila Proteins - genetics; Drosophila Proteins - metabolism; germ cell; Germ Cells - metabolism; maternal RNAs; NGD; oocyte; Oocytes - physiology; Oogenesis; Pelota; ribosomes; RNA; RNA Stability; Ski complex; Pelota; ribosomes; oocyte; RNA; Drosophila; Ski complex; degradation; NGD; maternal RNAs; germ cell; oogenesis
• ISSN: 0960-9822; 1879-0445
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.04.052

In sexually reproducing animals, the oocyte contributes a large supply of RNAs that are essential to launch development upon fertilization. The mechanisms that regulate the composition of the maternal RNA contribution during oogenesis are unclear. Here, we show that a subset of RNAs expressed during the early stages of oogenesis is subjected to regulated degradation during oocyte specification. Failure to remove these RNAs results in oocyte dysfunction and death. We identify the RNA-degrading Super Killer complex and No-Go Decay factor Pelota as key regulators of oogenesis via targeted degradation of specific RNAs expressed in undifferentiated germ cells. These regulators target RNAs enriched for cytidine sequences that are bound by the polypyrimidine tract binding protein Half pint. Thus, RNA degradation helps orchestrate a germ cell-to-maternal transition that gives rise to the maternal contribution to the zygote. [Display omitted] •Ski complex mediated RNA degradation is required in the germline for fertility.•A subset of early oogenic RNAs are degraded concurrent with oocyte specification.•Early oogenic RNAs are degraded utilizing components of the No Go Decay pathway.•Degradation of early oogenic RNAs is required for maintenance of oocyte fate. Blatt et al. find that a cohort of RNAs expressed in germ cells are targeted for regulated degradation mediated by components of the No Go Decay pathway when oocytes are specified. They find that this regulated RNA degradation is essential for proper oocyte development and fertility.