The Role of Maternal HP1a in Early Drosophila Embryogenesis via Regulation of Maternal Transcript Production

Genetics. 2019 Jan;211(1):201-217. doi: 10.1534/genetics.118.301704. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Abstract

Heterochromatin protein 1a (HP1a) is a highly conserved and versatile epigenetic factor that can both silence and activate transcription. However, the function of HP1a in development has been underinvestigated. Here, we report the role of maternal HP1a in producing maternal transcripts that drive early Drosophila embryogenesis. Maternal HP1a upregulates genes involved in translation, mRNA splicing, and cell division, but downregulates genes involved in neurogenesis, organogenesis, and germline development, which all occur later in development. Our study reveals the earliest contribution of HP1a during oogenesis in regulating the production of maternal transcripts that drive early Drosophila embryogenesis.

Keywords: HP1a; embryonic mitosis; maternal transcriptome; oogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromobox Protein Homolog 5
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / genetics*
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism
  • Drosophila
  • Embryonic Development
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Male
  • Maternal Inheritance*
  • Oogenesis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism

Substances

  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Chromobox Protein Homolog 5

Associated data

  • figshare/10.25386/genetics.7263251