Dónal O'Carroll Research Group

RNA function in germ and stem cell biology

The integrity of the genome transmitted to the next generation intrinsically relies on cells of the germline. Processes that ensure germ cell development, genomic stability and reproductive lifespan are essential for the long-term health and success of a species. We tackle fundamental questions regarding the mammalian germ line and heredity from an RNA perspective. Specifically, our research explores the contribution of PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and RNA modification pathways to germ cell development. We also have a keen interest in characterizing spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) populations that underpin male fertility throughout adult life. 

Professor Donal O'Carroll

Group Leader

Contact details

Aims and areas of interest

Why we study the germline

The germline is the immortal lineage, the cells that transcend generations and initiate the cycle of life. The lineage where evolution occurs. The mammalian germline is subject to major and essential epigenetic reprogramming. Processes that ensure germ cell development, epigenetic integrity, genomic stability and reproductive lifespan are essential for the long-term health and success of a species, or society in a human context. Our research helps understand the basis of infertility and diseases that arise by germline mutation or epimutation.  

RNA modification

Image
TUT4/7-mediated mRNA uridylation and m6A-YTHD in oocyte growth and maturation
Figure 1: TUT4/7-mediated 3'terminal mRNA uridylation is required to build a functional maternal transcriptome during oocyte growth whereas m6A-YTHDF2 is required for the metabolism of maternal transcripts during oocyte maturation. Both modifications are essential for oocyte competence and fertility.

The germline and regulatory RNA mechanisms have an intimate relationship asseveral stages of both male and female germ cell development are transcriptionally inert and thus rely on post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Thus, the study of RNA modification in the germline will give profound insights into both processes. Indeed, the maternal transcriptome is the blueprint for early life and the understanding of the mechanisms that enable its ordered construction, usage and destruction can also serve as a paradigm for understanding basic principles of regulated gene expression. We focus on the function of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and 3' terminal uridylation mRNA modifications, both of which can promote RNA degradation. We showed essential and specific functions for poly(A) tail length and TUT4/7-mediated 3' terminal uridylation in sculpting a functional maternal transcriptome during oocyte growth (Nature, 2017) (Figure 1). We recently demonstrated that a programmed wave of uridylation-primed mRNA degradation is essential for meiotic progression and mammalian spermatogenesis (Cell Res, 2019). Finally, we demonstrated that the m6A-reader YTHDF2 regulates transcript dosage during oocyte maturation and is an intrinsic determinant of mammalian oocyte competence as well as early zygotic development (Mol Cell, 2017) (Figure 1). We currently try to understand additional functions for these as well as other modifications in the germline and beyond. We have a major collaboration with Prof. Kamil Kranc (Barts Cancer Institute, London) on the role of mRNA m6A and 3'uridylation in leukaemia.

The PIWI-piRNA pathway

Image
Genomic DNA methylation is erased (reprogramming) and reset (de novo methylation) during germ cell development.
Figure 2: Genomic DNA methylation is erased (reprogramming) and reset (de novo methylation) during germ cell development. The mechanism by which the PIWI protein MIWI2 direct de novo methylation of young transposable elements remains unknown.

In mammals, the acquisition of the germline from the soma provides the germline with an essential challenge, the necessity to erase and reset genomic methylation. This is one of the most drastic epigenetic events in mammalian life. De novo genome methylation re-encodes the epigenome, imprinting and transposable element (TE) silencing. In the male germline piRNA-directed DNA methylation silences young active TEs. This poorly understood but essential process is central to the immortality of the germline. Upon completion of germline reprogramming with the full erasure of genomic methylation TEs become derepressed. PIWI proteins, MILI & MIWI2, and their associated piRNAs neutralize this threat. Firstly, through base complementarity piRNAs guide the PIWI endonuclease MILI to destroy cytoplasmic transposon RNAs. Secondly, antisense TE-derived piRNAs generated from intricate biogenesis pathways act to guide the nuclear PIWI protein MIWI2 to instruct TE DNA methylation by an unknown mechanism. We have made an important contribution to the mechanism of piRNA biogenesis as well as elucidating the functions of the piRNA pathway during adult spermatogenesis. Our future goal is to understand the elusive mechanism by which MIWI2 instructs TE methylation and epigenetic silencing (Figure 2).

Spermatogonial stem cell populations

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) maintain spermatogenesis throughout adult life as well as underpinthe regenerative capacity of the testis. A small population of undifferentiated spermatogonia have SSC activity. We showed that MIWI2 expression defines a population of transit-amplifying spermatogonia that also retain facultative stem cell function and is essential for the efficient regenerative capacity of the adult testis (J Exp Med, 2017). We also recently demonstrated that defective germline de novogenome methylation rewires spermatogonial transcriptomes (Nat Struct Mol Biol, 2017). We are currently using single-cell techniques to define the impact of regeneration and ageing on SSC populations. In addition, we utilize and develop state of the art cellular barcoding techniques to understand the clonality of SSCs and their clonal contribution to spermatogenesis.

Publications

 

Group Members

Shaunak Burse (Postdoc)

Lee Leo Chen (PhD Student)

Tamoghna Chowdhury (PhD Student)

Madeleine Heep (PhD Student)

Yuka Kabayama (Postdoc)

Pedro Moreira (Senior Laboratory Manager)

Martina Schito (Research Assistant)

Margot Julia Wyrwoll (Postdoc)

Xinyu Xiang (Visiting Student)

Ansgar Zoch (Postdoc)

Funders

CRUK

Wellcome Trust

Horizon 2020

Collaborators

Prof Kamil Kranc, Barts Cancer Institute, London

Dr Anton Enright, EMBL European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge 

Dr Vladimir Benes, EMBL, Heidelberg, Germany

Dr Tania Auchynnikava, Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh

Prof David Tollervey, Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh

Prof Robin Alshire, Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh

Prof Juri Rappsilber, Wellcome Centre fro Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh