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Aubergine and pi RNA s promote germline stem cell self‐renewal by repressing the proto‐oncogene Cbl
Author(s) -
RojasRíos Patricia,
Chartier Aymeric,
Pierson Stéphanie,
Simonelig Martine
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.15252/embj.201797259
Subject(s) - biology , germline , stem cell , rna , genetics , rna binding protein , microbiology and biotechnology , pi , microrna , gene , biochemistry
PIWI proteins play essential roles in germ cells and stem cell lineages. In Drosophila , Piwi is required in somatic niche cells and germline stem cells ( GSC s) to support GSC self‐renewal and differentiation. Whether and how other PIWI proteins are involved in GSC biology remains unknown. Here, we show that Aubergine (Aub), another PIWI protein, is intrinsically required in GSC s for their self‐renewal and differentiation. Aub needs to be loaded with pi RNA s to control GSC self‐renewal and acts through direct mRNA regulation. We identify the Cbl proto‐oncogene, a regulator of mammalian hematopoietic stem cells, as a novel GSC differentiation factor. Aub stimulates GSC self‐renewal by repressing Cbl mRNA translation and does so in part through recruitment of the CCR 4‐ NOT complex. This study reveals the role of pi RNA s and PIWI proteins in controlling stem cell homeostasis via translational repression and highlights pi RNA s as major post‐transcriptional regulators in key developmental decisions.