The overall goal of the proposal is to understand the molecular mechanisms that ensure the production of functional gametes and healthy offspring. The proposal specifically focuses on meiotic silencing of unpaired chromatin in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. Meiotic silencing is an epigenetic regulatory mechanism that has been described in mammals and nematodes as acting at the chromatin level to repress transcription. While the natural targets of meiotic silencing are the male sex chromosomes, the process will be activated to repress any unpaired chromosomes or chromosomal regions that arise due to mutation or chromosomal rearrangement during either female or male meiosis. Meiotic silencing is hypothesized to function in several ways to promote fertility and gamete quality. One hallmark of meiotic silencing in C. elegans, as in mammals, is the accumulation of a histone modification associated with transcriptional silencing, dimethylation of histone H3 on lysine 9 (H3K9me2). We have found meiotic H3K9me2 accumulation in C. elegans depends on the activity of several components of the small RNA machinery, including: EGO-1, an RNA-directed RNA polymerase (RdRP);CSR-1, a member of the Argonaute family of RNA-binding proteins;EKL-1, a Tudor domain protein;and DRH-3, a DEAD-box helicase. In addition to a role in meiotic silencing, our genetic evidence indicate that these four proteins participate in a functional pathway required for germline development and fertility. Our analysis of meiotic silencing in C. elegans provides a model for understanding the function of meiotic silencing in germline develoment, for tissue-specific formation of heterochromatin, and for chromatin regulation via small RNA-mediated mechanisms. Our data have allowed us to generate alternative models for the mechanism of H3K9me2 accumulation on unpaired chromatin. Here, we will test specific predictions of these models.
In Aim 1, we will test alternative hypotheses for how known meiotic silencing components of the small RNA-mediated pathway (EGO-1, CSR-1, EKL-1, DRH-3) associate with paired or unpaired chromosomes.
In Aim 2, we will test alternative predictions for how histone methyltransferase (HMTase) activity is recruited to unpaired chromosomes. These studies provide a complement to Aim 1.
In Aim 3, we will determine the genomic sites of H3K9me2 accumulation on unpaired chromosomes and use this information to test for direct association of EGO-1, CSR-1, EKL-1, and/or DRH-3 with target loci. These studies will allow us to refine and extent the data obtained in Aim 1.

Public Health Relevance

This proposal addresses questions related to fertility and resistance to disease. The project will investigate processes that are required for formation of functional sperm and eggs, and which may also help to reduce the susceptibility of offspring to particular diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01GM089818-01A1
Application #
7899604
Study Section
Cellular, Molecular and Integrative Reproduction Study Section (CMIR)
Program Officer
Carter, Anthony D
Project Start
2010-05-01
Project End
2014-04-30
Budget Start
2010-05-01
Budget End
2011-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$268,962
Indirect Cost
Name
Syracuse University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
002257350
City
Syracuse
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
13244
Li, Yini; Maine, Eleanor M (2018) The balance of poly(U) polymerase activity ensures germline identity, survival and development in Caenorhabditis elegans. Development 145:
Mutlu, Beste; Chen, Huei-Mei; Moresco, James J et al. (2018) Regulated nuclear accumulation of a histone methyltransferase times the onset of heterochromatin formation in C. elegans embryos. Sci Adv 4:eaat6224
Guo, Yiqing; Yang, Bing; Li, Yini et al. (2015) Enrichment of H3K9me2 on Unsynapsed Chromatin in Caenorhabditis elegans Does Not Target de Novo Sites. G3 (Bethesda) 5:1865-78
Van Wynsberghe, Priscilla M; Maine, Eleanor M (2013) Epigenetic control of germline development. Adv Exp Med Biol 757:373-403