TEX15 is an essential executor of MIWI2-directed transposon DNA methylation and silencing.

The PIWI protein MIWI2 and its associated PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) instruct DNA methylation of young active transposable elements (TEs) in the male germline. Here we show that MIWI2 associates with TEX15 in foetal gonocytes. TEX15 is predominantly a nuclear protein that is not required for piRNA biogenesis but is essential for piRNA-directed TE de novo methylation and silencing. In summary, TEX15 is an essential executor of mammalian piRNA-directed DNA methylation. Examination of piRNA expression profiles in control (Tex15+/-) and Tex15-/- foetal testes, RNA expression profiles in wildtype and Tex15-/- P20 testis, and RNA expression profiles in control (Tex15+/-) and Tex15-/- E16.5 gonocytes.PIWI蛋白MIWI2及其结合的PIWI互作RNA（PIWI-interacting RNAs，piRNAs）可指导雄性生殖系中年轻活性转座因子（transposable elements，TEs）的DNA甲基化。本研究发现，MIWI2在胎儿生殖母细胞中与TEX15相结合。TEX15主要定位于细胞核，虽不参与piRNA的生物发生过程，但对piRNA介导的TE从头甲基化与基因沉默至关重要。综上，TEX15是哺乳动物piRNA介导DNA甲基化的关键执行因子。本数据集涵盖以下检测数据：对照组（Tex15+/-）与Tex15基因敲除（Tex15-/-）胎儿睾丸的piRNA表达谱、野生型与Tex15基因敲除（P20）睾丸的RNA表达谱，以及对照组（Tex15+/-）与Tex15基因敲除（E16.5）生殖母细胞的RNA表达谱。