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Related Concept Videos

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

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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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RNA Interference01:23

RNA Interference

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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...
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Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

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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...
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siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs02:30

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs

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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...
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MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

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MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
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RNA Stability01:53

RNA Stability

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Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
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PIWI-interacting RNAs: who, what, when, where, why, and how.

The EMBO journal·2024
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Relaxed targeting rules help PIWI proteins silence transposons.

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The NAD<sup>+</sup> precursor NMN activates dSarm to trigger axon degeneration in <i>Drosophila</i>.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 16, 2025

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

Preparation of Small RNA Libraries for Sequencing from Early Mouse Embryos

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piRNAs in sperm function and embryo viability.

Giulia Perillo1, Keigo Shibata1, Pei-Hsuan Wu1

  • 11Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|December 20, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Mouse PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are crucial for male fertility. Recent studies reveal piRNAs also play a role in sperm maturation and may be paternally transmitted across generations.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Epigenetics
  • RNA biology

Background:

  • PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are essential for male fertility in mice, protecting germline integrity.
  • Previously, piRNAs were considered dispensable beyond gametogenesis due to sterility in piRNA pathway mutants.
  • Other small RNAs like tRNA fragments and microRNAs have been implicated in paternal contributions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the extended functions of piRNAs in mammals.
  • To discuss the role of piRNAs in post-testicular sperm maturation.
  • To explore the potential intergenerational role of paternal piRNAs.

Main Methods:

  • CRISPR/Cas-mediated elimination of mouse piRNAs.
  • Review of recent literature on piRNA function in gametogenesis and beyond.

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Loss- and Gain-of-function Approach to Investigate Early Cell Fate Determinants in Preimplantation Mouse Embryos
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Loss- and Gain-of-function Approach to Investigate Early Cell Fate Determinants in Preimplantation Mouse Embryos

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Meiotic Spindle Assessment in Mouse Oocytes by siRNA-mediated Silencing
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Meiotic Spindle Assessment in Mouse Oocytes by siRNA-mediated Silencing

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 16, 2025

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Preparation of Small RNA Libraries for Sequencing from Early Mouse Embryos

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Loss- and Gain-of-function Approach to Investigate Early Cell Fate Determinants in Preimplantation Mouse Embryos
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Meiotic Spindle Assessment in Mouse Oocytes by siRNA-mediated Silencing
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Meiotic Spindle Assessment in Mouse Oocytes by siRNA-mediated Silencing

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  • Comparative analysis of piRNA roles in oocytes and early embryos.

    • Main Results:

    • Mouse piRNAs are required for post-testicular sperm maturation, challenging previous assumptions.
    • Evidence suggests a potential intergenerational role for paternal piRNAs.
    • PiRNA functions extend beyond gamete formation, impacting reproductive processes.

    Conclusions:

    • Mammalian piRNAs have critical roles in sperm maturation and potentially in intergenerational inheritance.
    • Further research is needed to elucidate piRNA dynamics during fertilization and their broader reproductive functions.
    • These findings broaden our understanding of non-coding RNA roles in reproduction.