Phosphorylation of Z granule components regulates germ granule organization and RNAi inheritance
Small RNAs represent important carriers of epigenetic information in nematodes, and factors involved in their biogenesis reside within perinuclear germ granules. Among these condensates, Z granules are essential for the inheritance of RNA interference (RNAi). The mechanisms by which Z granules form and promote this process remain unclear. We show that Casein kinase I alpha (KIN-19) is present in…
Small RNAs play a crucial role in the epigenetic information transfer in nematodes, with Z granules being the key condensates responsible for the inheritance of RNA interference (RNAi). However, the precise mechanisms governing Z granule formation and their role in RNAi inheritance are still not fully understood. Researchers have now discovered that Casein kinase I alpha (KIN-19) is present in Z granules and is linked to the phosphorylation of DEPS-1 and HERD-1 proteins.
When DEPS-1 and HERD-1 phosphorylation are absent, Z granules become enlarged, and RNAi inheritance is enhanced. It is suggested that DEPS-1 functions as a phosphorylation-regulated scaffold that connects ZNFX-1 and HERD-1 proteins. This study highlights the importance of Casein kinase I alpha-mediated phosphorylation in modulating germ granule organization and RNAi inheritance, while also introducing a new molecular scaffold that could help unravel the complexity of germ granules in C. elegans.
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