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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...
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...
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)...
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)...
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...
Small interfering RNAs (siRNA)02:30

Small interfering RNAs (siRNA)

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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Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster
09:39

Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster

Published on: August 21, 2014

Small noncoding RNAs in the germline.

Jonathan P Saxe1, Haifan Lin

  • 1Yale Stem Cell Center and Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|June 15, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Small noncoding RNAs, including siRNA, miRNA, and piRNA, regulate gene expression in the germline. These pathways are crucial for germline development, epigenetic programming, and transposon silencing.

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Last Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster
09:39

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Published on: August 21, 2014

Preparation of Small RNA Libraries for Sequencing from Early Mouse Embryos
08:37

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RNA Pull-down Procedure to Identify RNA Targets of a Long Non-coding RNA
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RNA Pull-down Procedure to Identify RNA Targets of a Long Non-coding RNA

Published on: April 10, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Small noncoding RNAs are key regulators of gene expression, particularly in the germline.
  • Three major pathways exist: small interfering RNA (siRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the biogenesis and regulatory functions of siRNA, miRNA, and piRNA pathways in the germline.
  • To highlight the distinct roles and tissue distribution of these small RNA pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on small noncoding RNA pathways in the germline.
  • Comparative analysis of siRNA, miRNA, and piRNA biogenesis and function.

Main Results:

  • siRNA pathways degrade target mRNAs.
  • miRNA pathways primarily repress mRNA translation.
  • piRNA pathways are germline-specific and involved in epigenetic programming, transposon silencing, and mRNA regulation.

Conclusions:

  • Small RNA pathways represent a critical layer of gene regulation in germline specification and development.
  • Understanding these pathways provides insights into fundamental biological processes.