RNA degradation sculpts the maternal transcriptome during Drosophila oogenesis

In sexually reproducing animals, the oocyte contributes a large supply of RNAs that are essential to launch development upon fertilization. The mechanisms that regulate the composition of the maternal RNA contribution during oogenesis are unclear. Here, we show that a subset of RNAs expressed during the early stages of oogenesis is subjected to regulated degradation during oocyte specification. Failure to remove these RNAs results in oocyte dysfunction and death. We identify the RNA-degrading Super Killer complex and No-Go Decay factor Pelota as key regulators of oogenesis via targeted clearance of RNAs expressed in germline stem cells. These regulators target RNAs enriched for cytidine sequences bound by the protein Half pint. Thus, RNA degradation helps orchestrate a germ cell-to-maternal transition by sculpting the maternal RNA contribution to the zygote.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.View Full Text