Thanks also to YIsrael Rappaport who started this project, and Hanna Achache ,who pulled us out of the bog.
Also, a huge shoutout to the editor and staff of
@natcomms.nature.com, who were patient, helpful, and accessible. The most amazing professionals I had the good fortune to work with.

How do they do it? We are finding out…
This work has been almost completely done by the amazing student Roni Falk. I am sorry to see her leave for a postdoc, but I know it is she could become an independent scientist who will contribute a lot to the field of #Fertility.

In line with the role of lncRNA in promoting meiosis, their level increases as the cells move towards meiosis, and the number of FBF-2 condensates decreases. Thus, the lncRNAs promote meiosis by binding FBF-2 and deactivating it by promoting its condensation.

Indeed, in the triple lncRNA mutant, transcripts that are repressed by FBF-2 were over-repressed. At least one of the lncRNAs colocalizes with FBF-2 in peri-nuclear condensates and P granules. Deletion of the lncRNAs reduced FBF-2 condensates, and it stayed in the cytoplasm.

We deleted the genes encoding these three lncRNAs and identified a severe reduction of proliferating germ cells and progeny. This phenotype is similar to overexpression of FBF-2, suggesting that the lncRNAs repress FBF-2.

LncRNAs are highly expressed in the gonads, but KO of single genes usually results in no obvious phenotype. 3 lncRNAs bind the protein FBF-2 that tilts the balance of germ cells towards stem cell proliferation, and delays meiosis.

And now Ahmed Elewa with a beautiful development biology talk