Transient chromatin decompaction at the start of D. melanogaster male embryonic germline development

Yi Ru Li, Li Bin Ling, Angel Chao, Sebastian D. Fugmann, Shu Yuan Yang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

Abstract

Embryonic germ cells develop rapidly to establish the foundation for future developmental trajectories, and in this process, they make critical lineage choices including the configuration of their unique identity and a decision on sex. Here, we use single-cell genomics patterns for the entire embryonic germline in Drosophila melanogaster along with the somatic gonadal precursors after embryonic gonad coalescence to investigate molecular mechanisms involved in the setting up and regulation of the germline program. Profiling of the early germline chromatin landscape revealed sex-and stage-specific features. In the male germline immediately after zygotic activation, the chromatin structure underwent a brief remodeling phase during which nucleosome density was lower and deconcentrated from promoter regions. These findings echoed enrichment analysis results of our genomics data in which top candidates were factors with the ability to mediate large-scale chromatin reorganization. Together, they point to the importance of chromatin regulation in the early germline and raise the possibility of a conserved epigenetic reprogramming-like process required for proper initiation of germline development.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere202302401
JournalLife Science Alliance
Volume7
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 10 2024

Bibliographical note

© 2024 Li et al.

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Male
  • Drosophila melanogaster/embryology
  • Chromatin/metabolism
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly/genetics
  • Embryonic Development/genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/genetics
  • Embryonic Germ Cells/metabolism
  • Germ Cells/metabolism
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Female
  • Nucleosomes/metabolism
  • Single-Cell Analysis/methods

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Transient chromatin decompaction at the start of D. melanogaster male embryonic germline development'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this