title: RNA silencing in germlines--exquisite collaboration of Argonaute proteins with small RNAs for germline survival.
abstract: As the proper development of germlines is vital for species preservation, elaborative, regulatory systems for gene expression must operate in germlines. One such system is RNA silencing, sequence-specific gene silencing mechanisms mediated by small RNAs of 20-30 nucleotides long. Indeed, recent studies have revealed that various types of small RNAs are expressed germline-specifically. To preserve the germlines, they collaborate with Argonaute proteins, the catalytic engines in RNA silencing, to inhibit injurious, parasitic genes, transcriptionally or post-transcriptionally. This chapter summarizes the exquisite collaboration of Argonaute proteins with small RNAs in the RNA silencing mechanisms necessary for germline survival in Drosophila and mice.
authors.affiliation: Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan. siomim@sc.itc.keio.ac.jp
authors.forename: Mikiko C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Siomi
authors.forename: Satomi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuramochi-Miyagawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020868:Gene Silencing; D008297:Male; D011506:Proteins / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins