RNA interference and heterochromatin in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Trends Genet. 2005 Aug;21(8):450-6. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2005.06.005.

Abstract

Fission yeast is a useful model for RNA interference because it has single-copy genes for components of the RNAi pathway such as argonaute, dicer and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP). Functions for RNAi revealed in S. pombe, such as heterochromatic silencing and chromosome segregation, are likely to be ancient because they are shared with some other eukaryotes. The underlying mechanisms are being rapidly unraveled.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cell Division
  • Centromere / genetics
  • Centromere / metabolism
  • DNA Transposable Elements / genetics
  • Gene Silencing
  • Heterochromatin / genetics*
  • Heterochromatin / metabolism
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Models, Genetic
  • Polynucleotide Adenylyltransferase / metabolism
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / metabolism
  • RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / metabolism
  • Schizosaccharomyces / cytology
  • Schizosaccharomyces / genetics*
  • Schizosaccharomyces / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Heterochromatin
  • Histones
  • Polynucleotide Adenylyltransferase
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
  • RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase