title: [A novel class of testis-specific small RNAs: piRNAs].
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.
authors.affiliation: Center of Reproductive Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Fang
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Hong-Gang
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Cheng-Liang
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Xiong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering