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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...
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,...
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...
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...
Non-LTR Retrotransposons03:18

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

As the name suggests, non-LTR retrotransposons lack the long terminal repeats characteristic of the LTR retrotransposons. Additionally, both LTR and non-LTR retrotransposons use distinct mechanisms of mobilization. Non-LTR retrotransposons are further divided into two classes - Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), both of which occur abundantly in most mammals, including humans. Some of the active non-LTR retrotransposons in humans are L1...

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

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Published on: August 21, 2014

Small RNAs in germline development.

Matthew S Cook1, Robert Blelloch

  • 1Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA. Matthew.Cook@ucsf.edu

Current Topics in Developmental Biology
|January 5, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Small regulatory RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), endogenous small interfering RNAs (endo-siRNAs), and piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), are crucial for germline development. This review details their roles in germ cell specification, migration, and differentiation in mice.

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Last Updated: May 15, 2026

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08:37

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Published on: October 9, 2020

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09:36

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Published on: April 10, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Posttranscriptional gene regulation is vital in metazoa, primarily through small regulatory RNAs.
  • Primordial germ cells depend on RNA-binding proteins and small RNAs for development.
  • Key small RNAs include microRNAs (miRNAs), endogenous small interfering RNAs (endo-siRNAs), and piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the functions of miRNAs, endo-siRNAs, and piRNAs in germline development.
  • To consolidate current knowledge on small RNA roles across germ cell stages.
  • To focus on findings from studies conducted in the mouse model organism.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on small regulatory RNAs in germline development.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on microRNAs, endo-siRNAs, and piRNAs.
  • Synthesis of data from various organisms, with an emphasis on mouse studies.

Main Results:

  • Small regulatory RNAs are essential for germ cell specification, migration, and differentiation.
  • miRNAs, endo-siRNAs, and piRNAs orchestrate multiple aspects of germline development.
  • These RNA molecules play critical roles from early germ cell stages to gamete maturation.

Conclusions:

  • Small regulatory RNAs are indispensable for successful germline development and gametogenesis.
  • Understanding these RNA pathways is key to comprehending germ cell biology.
  • Further research, particularly in model organisms like the mouse, will elucidate precise mechanisms.