Regulation of Microprocessor assembly and localization via Pasha's WW domain in .

Primary microRNA (pri-miRNA) transcripts are processed by the Microprocessor, a protein complex that includes the ribonuclease Drosha and its RNA binding partner DGCR8/Pasha. We developed a live, whole animal, fluorescence-based sensor that reliably monitors pri-miRNA processing with high sensitivity in . Through a forward genetic selection for alleles that desilence the sensor, we identified a mutation in the conserved G residue adjacent to the namesake W residue of Pasha's WW domain.

The Caenorhabditis elegans TDRD5/7-like protein, LOTR-1, interacts with the helicase ZNFX-1 to balance epigenetic signals in the germline.

LOTUS and Tudor domain containing proteins have critical roles in the germline. Proteins that contain these domains, such as Tejas/Tapas in Drosophila, help localize the Vasa helicase to the germ granules and facilitate piRNA-mediated transposon silencing. The homologous proteins in mammals, TDRD5 and TDRD7, are required during spermiogenesis.