Abstract
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a class of small RNAs that are 24-31 nucleotides in length. They associate with PIWI proteins, which constitute a germline-specific subclade of the Argonaute family, to form effector complexes known as piRNA-induced silencing complexes, which repress transposons via transcriptional or posttranscriptional mechanisms and maintain germline genome integrity. In addition to having a role in transposon silencing, piRNAs in diverse organisms function in the regulation of cellular genes. In some cases, piRNAs have shown transgenerational inheritance to pass on the memory of "self" and "nonself," suggesting a contribution to various cellular processes over generations. Many piRNA factors have been identified; however, both the molecular mechanisms leading to the production of mature piRNAs and the effector phases of gene silencing are still enigmatic. Here, we summarize the current state of our knowledge on the biogenesis of piRNA, its biological functions, and the underlying mechanisms.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 405-433 |
| Number of pages | 29 |
| Journal | Annual Review of Biochemistry |
| Volume | 84 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 Jun 2 |
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Keywords
- Gene regulation
- PiRNA
- PIWI proteins
- RNA silencing
- RNAi
- Transposon
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
Cite this
PIWI-interacting RNA : Its biogenesis and functions. / Iwasaki, Yuka; Siomi, Mikiko C.; Siomi, Haruhiko.
In: Annual Review of Biochemistry, Vol. 84, 02.06.2015, p. 405-433.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - PIWI-interacting RNA
T2 - Its biogenesis and functions
AU - Iwasaki, Yuka
AU - Siomi, Mikiko C.
AU - Siomi, Haruhiko
PY - 2015/6/2
Y1 - 2015/6/2
N2 - PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a class of small RNAs that are 24-31 nucleotides in length. They associate with PIWI proteins, which constitute a germline-specific subclade of the Argonaute family, to form effector complexes known as piRNA-induced silencing complexes, which repress transposons via transcriptional or posttranscriptional mechanisms and maintain germline genome integrity. In addition to having a role in transposon silencing, piRNAs in diverse organisms function in the regulation of cellular genes. In some cases, piRNAs have shown transgenerational inheritance to pass on the memory of "self" and "nonself," suggesting a contribution to various cellular processes over generations. Many piRNA factors have been identified; however, both the molecular mechanisms leading to the production of mature piRNAs and the effector phases of gene silencing are still enigmatic. Here, we summarize the current state of our knowledge on the biogenesis of piRNA, its biological functions, and the underlying mechanisms.
AB - PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a class of small RNAs that are 24-31 nucleotides in length. They associate with PIWI proteins, which constitute a germline-specific subclade of the Argonaute family, to form effector complexes known as piRNA-induced silencing complexes, which repress transposons via transcriptional or posttranscriptional mechanisms and maintain germline genome integrity. In addition to having a role in transposon silencing, piRNAs in diverse organisms function in the regulation of cellular genes. In some cases, piRNAs have shown transgenerational inheritance to pass on the memory of "self" and "nonself," suggesting a contribution to various cellular processes over generations. Many piRNA factors have been identified; however, both the molecular mechanisms leading to the production of mature piRNAs and the effector phases of gene silencing are still enigmatic. Here, we summarize the current state of our knowledge on the biogenesis of piRNA, its biological functions, and the underlying mechanisms.
KW - Gene regulation
KW - PiRNA
KW - PIWI proteins
KW - RNA silencing
KW - RNAi
KW - Transposon
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84930695555&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84930695555&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1146/annurev-biochem-060614-034258
DO - 10.1146/annurev-biochem-060614-034258
M3 - Article
VL - 84
SP - 405
EP - 433
JO - Annual Review of Biochemistry
JF - Annual Review of Biochemistry
SN - 0066-4154
ER -