Molecular function of Maelstrom in germline piRNA biogenesis pathway in Bombyx mori

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26870112
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Molecular biology; Genome biology
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Sato Kaoru 東京大学, 理学(系)研究科(研究院), 助教 (20548507)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: piRNA / Maelstrom / Transposon / RNA scilencing / Germline / Silkworm / Piwi / RNAi

Outline of Final Research Achievements

piRNA (PIWI-interacting RNA) is a subset of small RNAs specifically produced in animal gonad, and associates with PIWI proteins to suppress the expression of transposons. BmN4 cell is derived from silkworm ovarian germ cell, and is a useful culture system to studying germline piRNA biogenesis. In this project, I examined the molecular function of an piRNA factor Maelstrom (Mael) in the germline piRNA biogenesis in silkworm. Especially, I aimed to identify the Mael-interacting RNA and proteins. First, to isolate the Mael-interacting RNAs, I performed CLIP analysis using anti-Mael antibody, and detected RNAs which was crosslinked with Mael. Now, I am trying to prepare the RNA library for deep sequence. Next, I identified a silkworm PIWI protein Siwi and two piRNA factors, BmSpn-E and BmQin in the Mael-complexes. Now, I am analyzing Mael-complex formation and cellular localization when each piRNA factor is depleted in BmN4 cells.

Free Research Field

分子生物学