Chathuri Devmika Wickramasinghe / Biology / Faculty Mentor: Esther Betrán
Many studies have shown that transposable elements (TE)-derived proteins have contributed to the emergence of new host proteins. In Drosophila, there are seven PIF TE-derived genes known as Drosophila PIF Like Genes (DPLG1-7), domesticated from the PIF/Harbinger transposase superfamily. Only four DPLGs (DPLG1-4) are present in D. melanogaster. Here, we focus on the female germline functions of DPLG1 and DPLG4. We have studied the localization of DPLG1-HA and DPLG4-HA tagged proteins in ovaries. RNA-Seq analysis of ovaries from CRISPR-Cas9 knock-out DPLG1 and DPLG4 flies revealed that the absence of these genes led to positively correlated differential expressions of a set of overlapping genes in ovaries. Several genes in piRNA pathway were found among DE genes in DPLG1-KO ovaries. In both DPLG1-KO or DPLG4-KO ovaries, various TE families showed differential expression, with Gypsy LTR retrotransposons being upregulated and telomeric non-LTR retrotransposons being downregulated. Notably, preliminary small RNA-Seq analysis revealed increased piRNAs targeting telomeric elements, possibly explaining the decrease in telomeric elements observed. These findings strongly suggest that DPLG1 or DPLG4 potentially regulate Drosophila telomere elongation via piRNA pathway. Overall, our studies imply functional interactions among PIF transposase-derived genes, enhancing our understanding of evolutionary processes driving TE domestication.
Fred Kashefi
Background does not cover the brief history of what particular functions are covered and what is interesting area of investigation.
Fred Kashefi
The background of your study does not describe what particular areas are already covered and what area is interesting to investigate and work on. Is your work following that direction?
Chathuri Devmika Wickramasinghe
Hello Dr. Fred,
Our ongoing research focuses on understanding the potential roles of DPLG1 and DPLG4 in Drosophila telomere elongation through the piRNA pathway. We have already analyzed RNA-Seq data and are currently analyzing small RNA-Seq data from the ovaries of mutant flies. Our findings suggest roles for DPLG1 and DPLG4 in Drosophila telomeres maintenance. Therefore, we aim to continue our experiments to study the relationship between these transposable element-derived genes and Drosophila telomeres.
Chathuri Devmika Wickramasinghe
Hello Dr. Fred,
Our ongoing research focuses on understanding the potential roles of DPLG1 and DPLG4 in Drosophila telomere elongation through the piRNA pathway. We have already analyzed RNA-Seq data and are currently analyzing small RNA-Seq data from the ovaries of mutant flies. Our findings suggest roles for DPLG1 and DPLG4 in Drosophila telomeres maintenance. Therefore, we aim to continue our experiments to study the relationship between these transposable element-derived genes and Drosophila telomeres.