< i > Gtsf1 < /i > is essential for proper female sex determination and transposon silencing in the silkworm, < i > Bombyx mori < /i >

In this study, we identified BmGTSF1 as a novel piRNA factor which participates inB.mori sex determination. We found thatBmGtsf1 has a distinct expression pattern compared toDrosophila and mouse. CRISPR/Cas9 induced mutation inBmGtsf1 resulted in partial sex reversal in genotypically female animals by shifting expression of the downstream targetsBmMasc andBmdsx to the male pattern. As levels ofFem piRNAs were substantially reduced in female mutants, we concluded thatBmGtsf1 plays a critical role in the biogenesis of the feminizing signal. We also demonstrated that BmGTSF1 physically interacted with BmSIWI, a protein previously reported to be involved in female sex determination, indicating BmGTSF1 function as the cofactor of BmSIWI.BmGtsf1 mutation resulted in piRNA pathway dysregulation, including piRNA biogenesis defects and transposon derepression, suggestingBmGtsf1 is also a piRNA factor in the silkworm. Furthermore, we found thatBmGtsf1 mutation leads to gametogenesis defects in both male and female. Our data suggested thatBmGtsf1 is a new component involved in the sex determination pathway inB.mori.

Source: PLoS Genetics - November 2, 2020 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Kai Chen Source Type: research