RNA-directed transcriptional gene silencing in mammals.
RNA interference is a highly conserved pathway mediating sequence-specific RNA degradation. In plants, the short RNA intermediates of this pathway can also drive transcriptional silencing of target genes by DNA methylation. Until recently, there was no evidence that a similar pathway operated in mammals; two new studies suggest that small RNAs can direct DNA methylation and chromatin modification in human cells. Although further investigation is required to determine how widespread RNA-directed DNA methylation is in mammals, the findings raise the possibility that this pathway, far from being merely a curiosity of plant systems, is a conserved mechanism for control of gene expression.
Bayne
Elizabeth H
EH
The Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, Scotland, UK.
Allshire
Robin C
RC
D000818:Animals; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020868:Gene Silencing; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D006801:Humans; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics*; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D002843:Chromatin; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012313:RNA