Abstract

Summary The importance of transgenerationally inherited epigenetic states to organismal fitness remains unknown as well-documented examples are often not amenable to mechanistic analysis or rely on artificial reporter loci. Here we describe an induced silenced state at an endogenous locus that persists, at 100% transmission without selection, for up to 13 generations. This unusually persistent silencing enables a detailed molecular genetic analysis of an inherited epigenetic state. We find that silencing is dependent on germline nuclear RNAi factors and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Consistent with these later observations, inheritance does not require the silenced locus, and we provide genetic evidence that small RNAs embody the inherited silencing signal. Notably, heritable germline silencing directs somatic epigenetic silencing. Somatic silencing does not require somatic nuclear RNAi but instead requires both maternal germline nuclear RNAi and chromatin-modifying activity. Coupling inherited germline silencing to somatic silencing may enable selection for physiologically important traits. Highlights A multi-copy array of the region upstream of sid-1 silences sid-1 Epigenetic sid-1 silencing is transmitted to all progeny for up to 13 generations Small RNAs embody the inherited silencing signal in the germline Chromatin-modifying enzymes contribute to sid-1 silencing in the soma Graphical Abstract [DISPLAY OMISSION]

주제어

#transgenerational inheritance   #epigenetics   #piRNAs   #nuclear RNAi   #C   #elegans   #sid-1  

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