Transient residence of the repulsive client Shutdown in Yb bodies plays a critical role in Piwi-piRISC biogenesis and maintaining fertility - PubMed

6 hours ago

Shutdown is a client protein that transiently accumulates in Yb bodies, which are biomolecular condensates formed by phase separation in Drosophila ovarian somatic cells.
It facilitates Piwi deposition into Yb bodies by connecting Armitage and Piwi, then quickly returns to the cytosol, allowing Armitage to transfer pre-Piwi-piRISC to mitochondria for maturation.
The acidic N terminus of Shutdown mediates self-repulsion, which is key to its transient residence in Yb bodies.
A point mutation in armitage, similar to a human mutation linked to azoospermia, traps Shutdown in Yb bodies and blocks Piwi-piRISC generation, highlighting its essential role in fertility.

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