GTSF1 accelerates target RNA cleavage by PIWI-clade Argonaute proteins

Amena Arif, Shannon Bailey, Natsuko Izumi, Todd A. Anzelon, Deniz M. Ozata, Cecilia Andersson, Ildar Gainetdinov, Ian J. MacRae, Yukihide Tomari and Phillip D. Zamore ()
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Amena Arif: University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Shannon Bailey: University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Natsuko Izumi: The University of Tokyo
Todd A. Anzelon: The Scripps Research Institute
Deniz M. Ozata: University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Cecilia Andersson: University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Ildar Gainetdinov: University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Ian J. MacRae: The Scripps Research Institute
Yukihide Tomari: The University of Tokyo
Phillip D. Zamore: University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

Nature, 2022, vol. 608, issue 7923, 618-625

Abstract: Abstract Argonaute proteins use nucleic acid guides to find and bind specific DNA or RNA target sequences. Argonaute proteins have diverse biological functions and many retain their ancestral endoribonuclease activity, cleaving the phosphodiester bond between target nucleotides t10 and t11. In animals, the PIWI proteins—a specialized class of Argonaute proteins—use 21–35 nucleotide PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) to direct transposon silencing, protect the germline genome, and regulate gene expression during gametogenesis1. The piRNA pathway is required for fertility in one or both sexes of nearly all animals. Both piRNA production and function require RNA cleavage catalysed by PIWI proteins. Spermatogenesis in mice and other placental mammals requires three distinct, developmentally regulated PIWI proteins: MIWI (PIWIL1), MILI (PIWIL2) and MIWI22–4 (PIWIL4). The piRNA-guided endoribonuclease activities of MIWI and MILI are essential for the production of functional sperm5,6. piRNA-directed silencing in mice and insects also requires GTSF1, a PIWI-associated protein of unknown function7–12. Here we report that GTSF1 potentiates the weak, intrinsic, piRNA-directed RNA cleavage activities of PIWI proteins, transforming them into efficient endoribonucleases. GTSF1 is thus an example of an auxiliary protein that potentiates the catalytic activity of an Argonaute protein.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05009-0

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