Pseudogene-derived small interfering RNAs regulate gene expression in mouse oocytes

Tam, O. H., Aravin, A. A., Stein, P., Girard, A., Murchison, E. P., Cheloufi, S., Hodges, E., Anger, M., Sachidanandam, R., Schultz, R. M., Hannon, G. J. (2008) Pseudogene-derived small interfering RNAs regulate gene expression in mouse oocytes. Nature, 453 (7194). pp. 534-538. ISSN 00280836 (ISSN)

Abstract

Pseudogenes populate the mammalian genome as remnants of artefactual incorporation of coding messenger RNAs into transposon pathways. Here we show that a subset of pseudogenes generates endogenous small interfering RNAs (endo-siRNAs) in mouse oocytes. These endo-siRNAs are often processed from double-stranded RNAs formed by hybridization of spliced transcripts from protein-coding genes to antisense transcripts from homologous pseudogenes. An inverted repeat pseudogene can also generate abundant small RNAs directly. A second class of endo-siRNAs may enforce repression of mobile genetic elements, acting together with Piwi-interacting RNAs. Loss of Dicer, a protein integral to small RNA production, increases expression of endo-siRNA targets, demonstrating their regulatory activity. Our findings indicate a function for pseudogenes in regulating gene expression by means of the RNA interference pathway and may, in part, explain the evolutionary pressure to conserve argonaute-mediated catalysis in mammals. ©2008 Nature Publishing Group.

Item Type: Paper
Uncontrolled Keywords: dicer small interfering RNA catalysis evolution gene expression hybridization protein RNA rodent animal cell article controlled study gene control gene silencing nonhuman oocyte phenotype priority journal pseudogene Animals Computational Biology DNA Transposable Elements Female Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental Gene Library Mice Oocytes Pseudogenes Ribonuclease III RNA Interference RNA, Messenger RNA, Small Interfering Mammalia
Subjects: bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > genes, structure and function > gene expression
organism description > animal > mammal
organism description > animal > mammal > rodent > mouse
organism description > animal > mammal > rodent
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > siRNA
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL labs > Hannon lab
CSHL labs > Sachidanandam lab
School of Biological Sciences > Publications
Depositing User: Matt Covey
Date: 2008
Date Deposited: 09 Jan 2013 16:54
Last Modified: 22 Sep 2014 16:21
PMCID: PMC2981145
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/26446

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