Modulation of Aub–TDRD interactions elucidates piRNA amplification and germplasm formation

Abstract

Aub guided by piRNAs ensures genome integrity by cleaving retrotransposons, and genome propagation by trapping mRNAs to form the germplasm that instructs germ cell formation. Arginines at the N-terminus of Aub (Aub–NTRs) interact with Tudor and other Tudor domain–containing proteins (TDRDs). Aub–TDRD interactions suppress active retrotransposons via piRNA amplification and form germplasm via generation of Aub–Tudor ribonucleoproteins. Here, we show that Aub–NTRs are dispensable for primary piRNA biogenesis but essential for piRNA amplification and that their symmetric dimethylation is required for germplasm formation and germ cell specification but largely redundant for piRNA amplification.