Structural basis of PETISCO complex assembly during piRNA biogenesis in C. elegans

Genes Dev. 2021 Sep 1;35(17-18):1304-1323. doi: 10.1101/gad.348648.121. Epub 2021 Aug 19.

Abstract

Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) constitute a class of small RNAs that bind PIWI proteins and are essential to repress transposable elements in the animal germline, thereby promoting genome stability and maintaining fertility. C. elegans piRNAs (21U RNAs) are transcribed individually from minigenes as precursors that require 5' and 3' processing. This process depends on the PETISCO complex, consisting of four proteins: IFE-3, TOFU-6, PID-3, and ERH-2. We used biochemical and structural biology approaches to characterize the PETISCO architecture and its interaction with RNA, together with its effector proteins TOST-1 and PID-1. These two proteins define different PETISCO functions: PID-1 governs 21U processing, whereas TOST-1 links PETISCO to an unknown process essential for early embryogenesis. Here, we show that PETISCO forms an octameric assembly with each subunit present in two copies. Determination of structures of the TOFU-6/PID-3 and PID-3/ERH-2 subcomplexes, supported by in vivo studies of subunit interaction mutants, allows us to propose a model for the formation of the TOFU-6/PID-3/ERH-2 core complex and its functionality in germ cells and early embryos. Using NMR spectroscopy, we demonstrate that TOST-1 and PID-1 bind to a common surface on ERH-2, located opposite its PID-3 binding site, explaining how PETISCO can mediate different cellular roles.

Keywords: 21U RNA; C. elegans; ERH-2; IFE-3; PETISCO; PID-1; PID-3; Piwi; RRM domain; TOFU-6; TOST-1; piRNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Argonaute Proteins / genetics
  • Argonaute Proteins / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins* / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans* / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans* / metabolism
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Germ Cells / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism

Substances

  • Argonaute Proteins
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • RNA, Small Interfering