An RNA-interference screen in Drosophila to identify ZAD-containing C2H2 zinc finger genes that function in female germ cells.

Laura Shapiro-Kulnane, Oscar Bautista, Helen K Salz

G3 (Bethesda, Md.) 2021 Jan 18

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The zinc finger-associated domain (ZAD) is present in over 90 C2H2 zinc finger (ZNF) proteins. Despite their abundance, only a few ZAD-ZNF genes have been characterized to date. Here, we systematically analyze the function of 68 ZAD-ZNF genes in Drosophila female germ cells by performing an in vivo RNA-interference screen. We identified eight ZAD-ZNF genes required for oogenesis, and based on further characterization of the knockdown phenotypes, we uncovered defects broadly consistent with functions in germ cell specification and/or survival, early differentiation, and egg chamber maturation. These results provide a candidate pool for future studies aimed at functionalization of this large but poorly characterized gene family. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Genetics Society of America.

Citation

Laura Shapiro-Kulnane, Oscar Bautista, Helen K Salz. An RNA-interference screen in Drosophila to identify ZAD-containing C2H2 zinc finger genes that function in female germ cells. G3 (Bethesda, Md.). 2021 Jan 18;11(1)