Diversity of the piRNA pathway for nonself silencing: worm-specific piRNA biogenesis factors.
The PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway protects animal germline cells from transposable elements and other genomic invaders. Although the genome defense function of piRNAs has been well established, the mechanisms of their biogenesis remain poorly understood. In this issue of Genes & Development, three groups identify novel factors required for piRNA biogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans. These works greatly expand our understanding of the piRNA pathway in worms, highlighting both its shared and its unique properties.
Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.
Natsuko
N
Izumi
Yukihide
Y
Tomari
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D049751:Genome, Helminth / Q000235:genetics*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering
21U RNA; C. elegans; piRNA