Journal: The EMBO Journal
Article Title: Germ granule localization of nematode Argonaute WAGO-4 ensures fidelity in small RNA loading
doi: 10.1038/s44318-025-00606-x
Figure Lengend Snippet: ( A ) Representative fluorescent micrographs of gonads (pachytene region) from live worms co-expressing PGL-3::mCherry and GFP::WAGO-4 (upper row) or RFP::ZNFX-1 and GFP::WAGO-4 (lower row) in WT and 3×FG mutant backgrounds at 20 °C. For each condition, a single confocal slice is shown for the indicated proteins and merged channels. Scale bar: 5 µm. ( B ) Quantification of GFP::WAGO-4 mean intensity signal inside granules vs. the cytoplasm. Ratios were calculated from images of live worms expressing GFP::WAGO-4 together with PGL-3::mCherry (P granules, purple hues) or RFP::ZNFX-1 (Z granules, blue hues) in WT and 3×FG backgrounds. Average ratios with SD are plotted, and numbers above bars indicate average values. Analysis was performed on the pachytene region, covering approximately 35 nuclei for P granules (35.3 ± 2.8) and 30 nuclei for Z granules (29.7 ± 2.7) from three live worms grown at 20 °C. To ensure precise granule volume definition and accurate intensity ratio measurement, the granule vs. cytoplasm signal ratios were calculated for each of 54 confocal planes (0.1 µm). Statistical analysis was performed using a two-tailed Mann–Whitney test, P values indicated in the graph. Representative fluorescence micrographs are shown in ( A ). ( C ) Schematic representation of the in vitro phase separation experiment. Two types of condensates were formed to approximate minimal P granules. Each condensate contained recombinant purified PGL-1, PGL-3, GLH-1, and GLH-4 proteins from an insect cell expression system, along with commercial poly(A)+ mRNA. The first type of condensate contained WT GLH-1 and GLH-4, while the second contained GLH-1 and GLH-4 with F → A mutations in FG dipeptides (identical to those introduced in live worms, shown in Fig. ). To each condensate type, the same amount of worm-purified mScarlet::WAGO-4 was added. For negative controls, the same amount of WAGO-4 storage buffer was added to the condensates. ( D ) Graph representing the ratio of mScarlet::WAGO-4 signal intensity between the condensed and dilute phases for WT and FG-mutant condensates. Results from a single experiment are shown; five to six ROIs per image were defined inside and outside condensates, with six images analyzed for each condition ( n = 32–36). Bars represent average values with SD and numbers above bars indicate average values. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-tailed Mann–Whitney test, P values indicated in the graph. A second independent experiment is shown in Fig. . mScarlet::WAGO-4 storage buffer was used as a negative control, and ratios were calculated in the same manner. ( E ) Schematic representation of WAGO-4 constructs expressed in worms. Fusions or point mutations were introduced at the native wago-4 locus using CRISPR-Cas. Introduced fusions or WAGO-4 predicted domains, identified based on sequence alignment with human Ago2, are depicted in different colors, as indicated. ( F ) Representative fluorescence micrographs of gonads (pachytene region) from live worms expressing different fluorescently labeled WAGO-4 proteins: GFP::WAGO-4, MTS::GFP::WAGO-4, PH::GFP::WAGO-4, and GFP::WAGO-4(Y611E). For each expressed protein, a single confocal slice is shown for worms grown at 20 °C. Scale bar: 5 µm. ( G ) Graph representing the number of progeny for worms of the indicated genotypes grown at 26 °C for one generation. Each dot represents the number of progeny from a single worm ( n = 17–19). Horizontal lines represent mean values, and error bars indicate SD. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal–Wallis test, and the corresponding P values are reported in Dataset . Groups sharing at least one letter above the plot are statistically indistinguishable ( P < 0.05). ( H ) Quantification of unfertilized oocytes in the uteri of worms grown at 26 °C, categorized into three groups: (1) worms containing exclusively embryos, (2) worms containing at least one embryo and at least one unfertilized oocyte, and (3) worms containing exclusively unfertilized oocytes. Data represent the average proportion of worms in each category from four independent experiments ( n = 52.8 ± 6.1 worms per experiment). Dots represent values from individual experiments and error bars indicate SD. ( I ) Mortal germline assay at 25 °C comparing the 3×FG mutant, MTS::GFP::WAGO-4-expressing strain, and wago-4(ko) , with N2 as a control. For each strain, five replicates with five P 0 worms were used. .
Article Snippet: poly-A+ mRNA , Takara , 636101.
Techniques: Expressing, Mutagenesis, Two Tailed Test, MANN-WHITNEY, Fluorescence, In Vitro, Recombinant, Purification, Negative Control, Construct, CRISPR, Sequencing, Labeling, Control