Heritable macromolecules in C. elegans germ granules

项目摘要 生殖系致力于产生配子，将遗传和表观遗传信息传递给下一代 一代。生殖细胞的维持和配子的发育需要保存完好的生殖粒 无膜和富含RNA的细胞器。细菌颗粒的组成和功能仍然难以捉摸。 它们的动态性质和它们在生殖系中的独特表达。这个项目涉及三个方面 基本问题。细菌颗粒是如何组装和维护的？表观遗传学是如何 调节器，如小RNA，在细菌颗粒中放大并传递给后代？其影响是什么 基因调控网络上的颗粒与跨代遗传？这项提案使用了线虫的细菌 颗粒作为模型系统来定义它们的蛋白质组和RNA组。其目标是识别蛋白质和rna。 生殖细胞颗粒形成所需的成分，以及它们在种系维持中的作用 和胚胎发育。此外，还将使用线虫提供的遗传和生化方法。 以确定驱动细菌颗粒内小RNA产生的机制。通过刻画 本研究将促进我们对胚芽颗粒作用机理的认识。 它们的形成及其在生育中的作用。

Project Summary The germline is dedicated to produce gametes that transmit genetic and epigenetic information to the next generation. Maintenance of germ cells and development of gametes require germ granules—well-conserved membraneless and RNA-rich organelles. The composition and function of germ granules remain elusive owing to their dynamic nature and their exclusive expression in the germline. This project addresses three fundamental questions. How are germ granules assembled and maintained? How are the epigenetic regulators, such as small RNAs, amplified in germ granules and passed on to offspring? What is impact of granules on gene regulatory networks and transgenerational inheritance? This proposal uses C. elegans germ granules as a model system to define their proteome and RNAome. The goal is to identify protein and RNA components that are required for germ granule formation, and characterize their role in germline maintenance and embryogenesis. Furthermore, the genetic and biochemical approaches afforded by C. elegans will be used to determine the mechanisms that drive the production of small RNAs within germ granules. By characterizing their constituents, this research program will advance our understanding of mechanisms of germ granule formation and their function in fertility.