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Related Concept Videos

RNA Interference01:23

RNA Interference

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.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
DNA-only Transposons02:57

DNA-only Transposons

DNA-only transposons are called autonomous transposons since they code for the enzyme transposase that is required for the transposition mechanism. Insertion of transposons can alter gene functions in multiple ways. They can mutate the gene, alter gene expression by introducing a novel promoter or insulator sequence, introduce new splice sites, and change the mRNA transcripts produced, or remodel chromatin structure.
The donor site from where the transposon is excised is either degraded or...
RNA Interference01:23

RNA Interference

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.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
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...
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...
Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Lentiviral Vector Platform for the Efficient Delivery of Epigenome-editing Tools into Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Disease Models
13:47

Lentiviral Vector Platform for the Efficient Delivery of Epigenome-editing Tools into Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Disease Models

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Transposon silencing by piRNAs.

Mario Halic1, Danesh Moazed

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Cell
|September 22, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Small RNA molecules called piRNAs protect animal cells from transposons. A protein named Rhino is essential for piRNA generation and silencing these elements in Drosophila.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Small RNA molecules, piRNAs, are crucial for genome defense in animal cells.
  • Transposons, or selfish DNA elements, pose a threat to genome integrity.

Discussion:

  • Klattenhoff et al. (2009) identified the HP1 family protein Rhino as vital for piRNA biogenesis.
  • Rhino is necessary for effective transposon silencing in Drosophila germline cells.

Key Insights:

  • The study reveals Rhino's essential role in piRNA production.
  • Rhino acts as a key mediator in the piRNA pathway for genome defense.

Outlook:

  • This research establishes a critical link between heterochromatin formation and piRNA-mediated genome defense mechanisms.

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In Vitro Selection of Engineered Transcriptional Repressors for Targeted Epigenetic Silencing
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In Vitro Selection of Engineered Transcriptional Repressors for Targeted Epigenetic Silencing

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Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Lentiviral Vector Platform for the Efficient Delivery of Epigenome-editing Tools into Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Disease Models
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  • Further investigation into Rhino's function could uncover new strategies for controlling transposon activity.