The Piwi-piRNA Pathway Provides an Adaptive Defense in the Transposon Arms Race

Aravin, A. A., Hannon, G. J., Brennecke, J. (November 2007) The Piwi-piRNA Pathway Provides an Adaptive Defense in the Transposon Arms Race. Science, 318 (5851). pp. 761-764. ISSN 1095-9203 (Electronic)

Abstract

Increasingly complex networks of small RNAs act through RNA-interference (RNAi) pathways to regulate gene expression, to mediate antiviral responses, to organize chromosomal domains, and to restrain the spread of selfish genetic elements. Historically, RNAi has been defined as a response to double-stranded RNA. However, some small RNA species may not arise from double-stranded RNA precursors. Yet, like microRNAs and small interfering RNAs, such species guide Argonaute proteins to silencing targets through complementary base-pairing. Silencing can be achieved by corecruitment of accessory factors or through the activity of Argonaute itself, which often has endonucleolytic activity. As a specific and adaptive regulatory system, RNAi is used throughout eukarya, which indicates a long evolutionary history. A likely function of RNAi throughout that history is to protect the genome from both pathogenic and parasitic invaders.

Item Type: Paper
Subjects: bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > RNAi
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > protein structure, function, modification > protein types > argonaute proteins
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > dsRNA
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > sRNA
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL labs > Hannon lab
Depositing User: CSHL Librarian
Date: 2 November 2007
Date Deposited: 02 Dec 2011 16:06
Last Modified: 26 Sep 2014 16:25
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/22958

Actions (login required)

Administrator's edit/view item Administrator's edit/view item