The Piwi-piRNA pathway provides an adaptive defense in the transposon arms race

Science. 2007 Nov 2;318(5851):761-4. doi: 10.1126/science.1146484.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Biological*
  • Animals
  • Argonaute Proteins
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Transposable Elements*
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Gene Silencing
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / physiology
  • RNA, Small Interfering*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • RNA-Induced Silencing Complex

Substances

  • Argonaute Proteins
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • RNA-Induced Silencing Complex
  • piwi protein, Drosophila