Ago4-piRNA complex is a key component of genomic immune system against transposon expression in Penaeus monodon
Issued Date
2024-08-01
Resource Type
ISSN
10504648
eISSN
10959947
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85196221795
Journal Title
Fish and Shellfish Immunology
Volume
151
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Fish and Shellfish Immunology Vol.151 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Ho T., Eichner N., Sathapondecha P., Nantapojd T., Meister G., Udomkit A. Ago4-piRNA complex is a key component of genomic immune system against transposon expression in Penaeus monodon. Fish and Shellfish Immunology Vol.151 (2024). doi:10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109693 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/99016
Title
Ago4-piRNA complex is a key component of genomic immune system against transposon expression in Penaeus monodon
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Argonaute proteins are key constituents of small RNA-guided regulatory pathways. In crustaceans, members of the AGO subfamily of Argonaute proteins that play vital roles in immune defense are well studied, while proteins of the PIWI subfamily are less established. PmAgo4 of the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon, though phylogenetically clustered with the AGO subfamily, has distinctive roles of the PIWI subfamily in safeguarding the genome from transposon invasion and controlling germ cell development. This study explored a molecular mechanism by which PmAgo4 regulates transposon expression in the shrimp germline. PmAgo4-associated small RNAs were co-immunoprecipitated from shrimp testis lysate using a PmAgo4-specific polyclonal antibody. RNA-seq revealed a majority of 26–27 nt long small RNAs in the PmAgo4-IP fraction suggesting that PmAgo4 is predominantly associated with piRNAs. Mapping of these piRNAs on nucleotide sequences of two gypsy and a mariner-like transposons of P. monodon suggested that most piRNAs were originated from the antisense strand of transposons. Suppression of PmAgo4 expression by a specific dsRNA elevated the expression levels of the three transposons while decreasing the levels of transposon-related piRNAs. Taken together, these results imply that PmAgo4 exerts its suppressive function on transposons by controlling the biogenesis of transposon-related piRNAs and thus, provides a defense mechanism against transposon invasion in shrimp germline cells.