Possible role for DAZL protein in retrotransposon silencing

• Grant number: 14/00934-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Embryology
• Principal Investigator: Taiza Stumpp Teixeira
• Grantee: Verena Julia Flaiz Flister
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Primordial germ cells (PGC) are the precursors of the gametes, which are responsible for the transmission of the genetic and epigenetic information to the next generations. The normal development of PGC depends on a process called epigenetic reprogramming, during which the DNA is widely demethylase, permitting the expression of a variety of genes. Some of these genes are DNA sequences that duplicate and insert themselves throughout the genome that are called retrotransposons. Although the retrotransposons promote genetic variability, an imbalance of their expression can lead to genome instability. Thus, the PCG developed mechanisms to control retrotransposon expression that are essential during epigenetic reprogramming. This control is performed by piRNAs and PIWI proteins. It has been shown that MVH, a germ cell-specific protein, also plays an important role in this control through interactions with the PIWI proteins. Previous studies by our group and others suggest that the expression pattern and the function of MVH protein is similar to another germ cell-specific protein called DAZL. That said, the aim of this study is to investigate whether DAZL protein plays a role in the control of retrotransposon expression. The gonads of Wistar rat embryos at 16dpc will be collected and treated with siRNA specific to Dazl mRNA in vitro. The expression of DAZL, MVH and PIWI proteins as well as of retrotrasnposons will be analyzed through RT-PCR.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ROCHA-DA-SILVA, LETICIA; ARMELIN-CORREA, LUCIA; CANTAO, ISABELLE HERNANDEZ; FLAIZ FLISTER, VERENA JULIA; NUNES, MARINA; STUMPP, TAIZA. Expression of genome defence protein members in proliferating and quiescent rat male germ cells and the Nuage dynamics. PLoS One, v. 14, n. 6, JUN 10 2019. (14/00934-6, 16/07782-2, 14/19123-8)