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Related Concept Videos

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...
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

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...
Ribosomal RNA Synthesis02:53

Ribosomal RNA Synthesis

Ribosome synthesis is a highly complex and coordinated process involving more than 200 assembly factors. The synthesis and processing of ribosomal components occurs not only in the nucleolus but also in the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...
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...
Inheritance of Chromatin Structures03:17

Inheritance of Chromatin Structures

Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying DNA...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

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

Preparation of Small RNA Libraries for Sequencing from Early Mouse Embryos

Published on: October 9, 2020

Small RNAs in germ cell development.

Torsten U Banisch1, Mehdi Goudarzi, Erez Raz

  • 1Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.

Current Topics in Developmental Biology
|February 28, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Small RNA molecules, including microRNAs (miRNAs), short endo-siRNAs, and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), are crucial for germline development. They regulate gene expression, maintain stem cells, and ensure genome stability across generations.

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Application of RNAi and Heat-shock-induced Transcription Factor Expression to Reprogram Germ Cells to Neurons in C. elegans
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Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster
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Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster

Published on: August 21, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 24, 2026

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

Preparation of Small RNA Libraries for Sequencing from Early Mouse Embryos

Published on: October 9, 2020

Application of RNAi and Heat-shock-induced Transcription Factor Expression to Reprogram Germ Cells to Neurons in C. elegans
07:53

Application of RNAi and Heat-shock-induced Transcription Factor Expression to Reprogram Germ Cells to Neurons in C. elegans

Published on: January 1, 2018

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

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Small RNA molecules regulate gene expression posttranscriptionally.
  • Understanding these molecules is key to comprehending gene regulation.
  • Their roles in germline development are increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the functions of small RNAs in germline development.
  • To highlight the roles of miRNAs, siRNAs, and piRNAs in the germline.
  • To emphasize their collective importance for generational continuity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on small RNA function in germline development.
  • Analysis of findings across various model organisms.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on miRNA, siRNA, and piRNA mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate mRNA and protein expression, essential for primordial germ cells (PGCs) and germline stem cells (GSCs).
  • Short endo-siRNAs control gene expression and are vital for genome stability through transposable element regulation.
  • Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) specifically in the germline suppress transposon activity, protecting genomic integrity.

Conclusions:

  • The coordinated action of miRNAs, siRNAs, and piRNAs is essential for proper germline development and maintenance.
  • These small RNAs ensure the fidelity of genetic information passed through generations.
  • Small RNAs are fundamental regulators of germline function and genome stability.