Prophage proteins alter long noncoding RNA and DNA of developing sperm to induce a paternal-effect lethality

Science. 2024 Mar 8;383(6687):1111-1117. doi: 10.1126/science.adk9469. Epub 2024 Mar 7.

Abstract

The extent to which prophage proteins interact with eukaryotic macromolecules is largely unknown. In this work, we show that cytoplasmic incompatibility factor A (CifA) and B (CifB) proteins, encoded by prophage WO of the endosymbiont Wolbachia, alter long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and DNA during Drosophila sperm development to establish a paternal-effect embryonic lethality known as cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). CifA is a ribonuclease (RNase) that depletes a spermatocyte lncRNA important for the histone-to-protamine transition of spermiogenesis. Both CifA and CifB are deoxyribonucleases (DNases) that elevate DNA damage in late spermiogenesis. lncRNA knockdown enhances CI, and mutagenesis links lncRNA depletion and subsequent sperm chromatin integrity changes to embryonic DNA damage and CI. Hence, prophage proteins interact with eukaryotic macromolecules during gametogenesis to create a symbiosis that is fundamental to insect evolution and vector control.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins* / metabolism
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • DNA / metabolism
  • Deoxyribonucleases* / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster* / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster* / microbiology
  • Male
  • Paternal Inheritance*
  • Prophages* / genetics
  • Prophages* / metabolism
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / metabolism
  • Spermatozoa* / growth & development
  • Spermatozoa* / metabolism
  • Viral Proteins* / metabolism
  • Wolbachia* / metabolism
  • Wolbachia* / virology

Substances

  • DNA
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • Viral Proteins
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Deoxyribonucleases