The Dictyostelium discoideum RNA-dependent RNA polymerase RrpC silences the centromeric retrotransposon DIRS-1 post-transcriptionally and is required for the spreading of RNA silencing signals

Nucleic Acids Res. 2014 Mar;42(5):3330-45. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkt1337. Epub 2013 Dec 24.

Abstract

Dictyostelium intermediate repeat sequence 1 (DIRS-1) is the founding member of a poorly characterized class of retrotransposable elements that contain inverse long terminal repeats and tyrosine recombinase instead of DDE-type integrase enzymes. In Dictyostelium discoideum, DIRS-1 forms clusters that adopt the function of centromeres, rendering tight retrotransposition control critical to maintaining chromosome integrity. We report that in deletion strains of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase RrpC, full-length and shorter DIRS-1 messenger RNAs are strongly enriched. Shorter versions of a hitherto unknown long non-coding RNA in DIRS-1 antisense orientation are also enriched in rrpC- strains. Concurrent with the accumulation of long transcripts, the vast majority of small (21 mer) DIRS-1 RNAs vanish in rrpC- strains. RNASeq reveals an asymmetric distribution of the DIRS-1 small RNAs, both along DIRS-1 and with respect to sense and antisense orientation. We show that RrpC is required for post-transcriptional DIRS-1 silencing and also for spreading of RNA silencing signals. Finally, DIRS-1 mis-regulation in the absence of RrpC leads to retrotransposon mobilization. In summary, our data reveal RrpC as a key player in the silencing of centromeric retrotransposon DIRS-1. RrpC acts at the post-transcriptional level and is involved in spreading of RNA silencing signals, both in the 5' and 3' directions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Dictyostelium / enzymology
  • Dictyostelium / genetics*
  • Genome
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Antisense / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Untranslated / metabolism
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / genetics
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / physiology*
  • Retroelements*
  • Terminal Repeat Sequences

Substances

  • RNA, Antisense
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Untranslated
  • Retroelements
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase