Elsevier

Developmental Biology

Volume 365, Issue 2, 15 May 2012, Pages 384-394
Developmental Biology

Drosophila Argonaute 1 and its miRNA biogenesis partners are required for oocyte formation and germline cell division

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2012.03.005Get rights and content
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Abstract

Argonaute 1 (Ago1) is a member of the Argonaute/PIWI protein family involved in small RNA-mediated gene regulation. In Drosophila, Ago1 plays a specific role in microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis and function. Previous studies have demonstrated that Ago1 regulates the fate of germline stem cells. However, the function of Ago1 in other aspects of oogenesis is still elusive. Here we report the function of Ago1 in developing egg chambers. We find that Ago1 protein is enriched in the oocytes and is also highly expressed in the cytoplasm of follicle cells. Clonal analysis of multiple ago1 mutant alleles shows that many mutant egg chambers contain only 8 nurse cells without an oocyte which is phenocopied in dicer-1, pasha and drosha mutants. Our results suggest that Ago1 and its miRNA biogenesis partners play a role in oocyte determination and germline cell division in Drosophila.

Highlights

► Ago1 protein is highly enriched in Drosophila oocytes and follicle cells. ► Many Ago1 mutant egg chambers contain only 8 nurse cells without an oocyte. ► dicer-1, pasha and drosha exhibit similar effects on oogenesis as ago1. ► miRNAs play roles in oocyte formation and germline cell division in Drosophila.

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