Nuclear stress bodies enable a germline-specific transcriptional stress response in Drosophila
The germline ensures the continuity of genetic information across generations, but how this immortal lineage functions under stress conditions remains incompletely understood. Here, we identify that heat shock factor (Hsf), a conserved master regulator of the stress response, drives the expression of transposable elements (TEs), in addition to molecular chaperones upon heat shock in Drosophila…
Drosophila's germline, responsible for passing genetic information through generations, maintains its continuity under stress but its inner workings in such conditions are not fully understood. Researchers have discovered that heat shock factor (Hsf), a universal master regulator of stress response, triggers the expression of transposable elements (TEs) along with molecular chaperones in the gonads of Drosophila when exposed to heat.
This potential clash within the germ cells is balanced by the assembly of nuclear stress bodies (nSBs) at non-coding satellite DNA repeats. Through chemical and genetic interventions, scientists found that these nSBs are not only essential but also enough to postpone Hsf-driven transcription. Importantly, this nSB-mediated delay, working alongside the piRNA pathway, enables the germ cells to selectively express molecular chaperones, while suppressing transposable elements, upon heat shock.
This unique transcriptional stress response, they propose, safeguards the germline's functionality and evolutionary fitness, particularly in populations that regularly face environmental stressors.
Written by urgent.news from bioRxiv's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
