Binding of guide piRNA triggers methylation of the unstructured N-terminal region of Aub leading to assembly of the piRNA amplification complex

Abstract

PIWI protein contains arginine rich motifs that are post-translationally modified to symmetrically methylated arginine (sDMA) residues. Here the authors show that piRNA loading into Aub triggers sDMA modification which is recognized by Krimper to promote formation of Krimper-Aub-Ago3 complex for piRNA amplification in Drosophila.