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Related Concept Videos

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs02:30

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs

Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...
RNA Interference01:23

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RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
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RNA Interference01:23

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Experimental RNAi02:15

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RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

PIWI-interacting RNAs, or piRNAs, are the most abundant short non-coding RNAs. More than 20,000 genes have been found in humans that code for piRNAs while only 2000 genes have been found for miRNAs. piRNAs can act at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and have a vital role in silencing transposable elements present in germ cells. They are also involved in epigenetic silencing and activation. Previously, they were thought to function only in germ cells but new evidence suggests...
Small interfering RNAs (siRNA)02:30

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Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...

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Screening and Identification of RNA Silencing Suppressors from Secreted Effectors of Plant Pathogens
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Small RNA silencing pathways in germ and stem cells.

A A Aravin1, G J Hannon

  • 1Watson School of Biological Sciences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA.

Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology
|March 10, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Small RNAs called Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) act as a germline immune system in mammals, silencing transposons via DNA methylation. This process is crucial for male germ cell development and genome integrity.

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Published on: August 21, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Small RNAs, particularly Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), play a critical role in protecting germline genomes from mobile genetic elements.
  • In mammals, piRNAs function as an innate immune system, distinguishing transposons from endogenous genes and mediating their silencing.
  • piRNAs are essential for directing transposon DNA methylation during male germ cell development, representing a key sequence-specific factor for methylcytosine deposition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of piRNAs and Piwi proteins in safeguarding the germ cell genome.
  • To understand the mechanisms by which piRNAs silence transposons through DNA methylation.
  • To investigate the developmental regulation and distinct characteristics of piRNA populations.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of piRNA populations during germ cell development.
  • Investigation of Piwi protein functions (Miwi2, Mili, Miwi) in germ cells.
  • Studies on the role of piRNAs in directing DNA methylation of transposons.

Main Results:

  • Mammalian piRNAs form an innate immune system that silences transposons.
  • piRNAs direct transposon DNA methylation in male germ cells, acting as sequence-specific factors.
  • Distinct piRNA classes are expressed in developmental waves, with unique generative loci and sequence content in embryonic versus meiotic germ cells.

Conclusions:

  • piRNAs are crucial for germline genome defense against transposons.
  • The piRNA-mediated DNA methylation pathway is vital for male germ cell development.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the complexities of piRNA biology and Piwi protein interactions.