The coming of age for Piwi proteins.
Piwi proteins, a subfamily of Argonaute (Ago) proteins, have recently been shown to bind endogenous small RNAs. However, differences between Ago proteins (which bind microRNAs and small interfering RNAs) and Piwi proteins and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) suggest novel functions for Piwi proteins. Here, we highlight the recent progress in understanding Piwi function and the implications for germline and stem cell development.
Seto
Anita G
AG
Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Kingston
Robert E
RE
Lau
Nelson C
NC
D000818:Animals; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D020868:Gene Silencing; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D010802:Phylogeny; D011506:Proteins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
D035683:MicroRNAs; D011506:Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering