A novel class of testis-specific small RNAs: piRNAs.
- Author:
Xiao-Fang DING
1
;
Hong-Gang LI
;
Cheng-Liang XIONG
Author Information
1. Center of Reproductive Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Animals;
Male;
MicroRNAs;
classification;
genetics;
RNA Interference;
RNA, Small Interfering;
genetics;
Spermatogenesis;
genetics;
Testis;
metabolism
- From:
National Journal of Andrology
2008;14(2):163-165
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Eukaryotes produce various types of 19-30 nt small RNAs, which act as guides to the regulation of gene expressions, such as mRNA degradation and translational repression. The Argonaute family members related to small RNA functions fall into 2 subfamilies. One is the AGO subfamily, whose 4 members distribute widely, confirmedly bind to miRNAs and siRNAs and inhibit the expression of target mRNAs through a pathway like RNA interference. The other is the PIWI subfamily, including PIWI, Aubgine (AUB) and AGO3, exclusively expressed in the testis. Recently, four research groups have isolated a new class of small RNAs from the mammalian testis, which interacts with the PIWI subfamily, hence named piwi-interfering RNAs (piRNAs), and is suggestive of an important role in spermatogenesis.
