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PIWI-interacting small RNAs: the vanguard of genome defence
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Journal Article
PIWI-interacting small RNAs: the vanguard of genome defence
2011
Overview
Key Points
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a distinct class of small non-coding RNAs that protect the integrity of the genome by silencing transposable elements in both germline and gonadal somatic cells. There are thousands of piRNA sequences in the genome and most reside in regions defined as piRNA clusters.
The pathways that drive the biogenesis of piRNAs are distinct from those that produce other small non-coding RNAs, including endogenous small interfering RNAs and microRNAs. piRNAs can arise from both a primary processing pathway and an amplifying, 'ping-pong' cycle that further refines the piRNA pool to ensure an effective defence against transposons.
piRNAs associate with PIWI proteins to form a piRNA-induced silencing complex (piRISC). Efficient piRNA-mediated silencing also requires association of several Tudor-domain proteins with PIWI proteins, as well as other non-Tudor-domain proteins.
There is emerging evidence that some piRNAs may also target protein-coding genes in both the germ line and the soma. In addition, piRNAs affect chromatin structure and transcription through effects on
de novo
methylation at loci containing transposable elements.
piRNAs localize to granular cytoplasmic bodies, where piRNA production and processing seems to take place. Although these show proximity to other mRNA processing bodies, the functional significance of this is not yet clear.
The genome encodes thousands of small RNAs that interact with PIWI proteins; these PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) mediate silencing of transposable elements and thereby protect the genome. New insights are being gained into the formation and functions of piRNAs, and where they exert their action in the cell.
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a distinct class of small non-coding RNAs that form the piRNA-induced silencing complex (piRISC) in the germ line of many animal species. The piRISC protects the integrity of the genome from invasion by 'genomic parasites' — transposable elements — by silencing them. Owing to their limited expression in gonads and their sequence diversity, piRNAs have been the most mysterious class of small non-coding RNAs regulating RNA silencing. Now, much progress is being made into our understanding of their biogenesis and molecular functions, including the specific subcellular compartmentalization of the piRNA pathway in granular cytoplasmic bodies.
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group
