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piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

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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...
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Transposons make up a significant part of genomes of various organisms. Therefore, it is believed that transposition played a major evolutionary role in speciation by changing genome sizes and modifying gene expression patterns. For example, in bacteria, transposition can lead to conferring antibiotic resistance. Movement of transposable elements within the genetic pool of pathogenic bacteria can aid in transfer of antibiotic-resistant genetic elements. In eukaryotes, transposons can carry out...
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Transposons

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Transposons, or "jumping genes," are small mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that range from 700 to 40,000 base pairs in length. They are found in all organisms and can move within the same chromosome or transfer to different chromosomes. In some cases, transposons can also jump between different host DNA molecules, such as plasmids or viruses, contributing to genetic variability.Barbara McClintock first discovered these mobile genetic elements in the 1940s while studying maize genetics, and she...
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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.
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LTR retrotransposons are class I transposable elements with long terminal repeats flanking an internal coding region. These elements are less abundant in mammals compared to other class I transposable elements. About 8 percent of human genomic DNA comprises LTR retrotransposons. Some of the common examples of LTR retrotransposons are Ty elements in yeast and Copia elements in Drosophila.
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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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piRNA Clusters Need a Minimum Size to Control Transposable Element Invasions.

Robert Kofler1

  • 1Institut für Populationsgenetik, Vetmeduni Vienna, Wien, Austria.

Genome Biology and Evolution
|March 29, 2020
PubMed
Summary

A minimum piRNA cluster genome size of 0.2% is essential to repress transposable elements (TEs). Insufficient piRNA cluster size risks population extinction from TE invasions, especially in small populations with high transposition rates.

Keywords:
forward simulationspiRNA clusterspopulation geneticstransposable elements

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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • piRNA clusters are crucial for suppressing transposable element (TE) activity in various species.
  • The genomic size requirements for effective TE repression by piRNA clusters remain largely undefined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the minimum genomic size constraint for piRNA clusters to effectively repress transposable element invasions.
  • To investigate the impact of population size, transposition rates, and TE insertion characteristics on piRNA cluster size requirements.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a simple population genetics model.
  • Incorporated assumptions on TE multiplication, deleterious effects, and piRNA cluster function as transposon traps.

Main Results:

  • A minimum piRNA cluster size exceeding 0.2% of the genome is required to repress TE invasions.
  • Larger clusters (up to 3% of the genome) may be necessary under specific conditions like small populations and high transposition rates.
  • Species with smaller piRNA clusters may face significant fitness costs during TE invasions.

Conclusions:

  • The genomic size of piRNA clusters is a critical factor in preventing population extinction due to transposable element activity.
  • Species with inadequate piRNA cluster sizes, such as humans and mice, may be vulnerable to novel TE invasions.
  • The evolution of piRNA cluster size likely involves a balance between forces promoting expansion and contraction.