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Published on: September 11, 2022
RNA interference pathways in fungi: mechanisms and functions
Shwu-Shin Chang1, Zhenyu Zhang, Yi Liu
1Department of Physiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, 75390, USA.
Annual Review of Microbiology
|July 4, 2012
Summary
RNA interference (RNAi) uses small RNAs for gene silencing in eukaryotes. Fungal RNAi pathways, studied in yeast and N. crassa, reveal diverse mechanisms and functions.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Mycology
Background:
- RNA interference (RNAi) is a fundamental eukaryotic gene regulatory process.
- Small noncoding RNAs mediate RNAi for posttranscriptional and transcriptional gene silencing.
- Fungi, particularly Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Neurospora crassa, are key model systems for RNAi research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of fungal RNAi pathways.
- To highlight the mechanisms and functions of RNAi in fungi.
- To discuss the diversity of RNAi-mediated processes and small RNA biogenesis in fungi.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of fungal RNAi research.
- Analysis of studies focusing on Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Neurospora crassa.
- Synthesis of findings on RNAi mechanisms and functions in diverse fungal species.
Main Results:
- Fungi exhibit diverse RNAi pathways.
- Distinct small RNA biogenesis pathways are found in fungi.
- Studies in model fungi have significantly advanced understanding of eukaryotic RNAi.
Conclusions:
- Fungal RNAi research has uncovered significant diversity in mechanisms and functions.
- Model systems like S. pombe and N. crassa are crucial for dissecting fungal RNAi.
- Further exploration of fungal RNAi promises deeper insights into eukaryotic gene regulation.
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