PID-1 is a novel factor that operates during 21U-RNA biogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans.
The Piwi-piRNA pathway represents a small RNA-based mechanism responsible for the recognition and silencing of invading DNA. Biogenesis of piRNAs (21U-RNAs) is poorly understood. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the piRNA-binding Argonaute protein PRG-1 is the only known player acting downstream from precursor transcription. From a screen aimed at the isolation of piRNA-induced silencing-defective (Pid) mutations, we identified, among known Piwi pathway components, PID-1 as a novel player. PID-1 is a mostly cytoplasmic, germline-specific factor essential for 21U-RNA biogenesis, affecting an early step in the processing or transport of 21U precursor transcripts. We also show that maternal 21U-RNAs are essential to initiate silencing.
Institute of Molecular Biology, D-55128 Mainz, Germany;
Bruno F M
BF
de Albuquerque
Maartje J
MJ
Luteijn
Ricardo J
RJ
Cordeiro Rodrigues
Petra
P
van Bergeijk
Selma
S
Waaijers
Lucas J T
LJ
Kaaij
Holger
H
Klein
Mike
M
Boxem
René F
RF
Ketting
D000818:Animals; D060565:Argonaute Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008745:Methylation; D009154:Mutation; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000502:physiology; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019076:Transgenes / Q000235:genetics
D060565:Argonaute Proteins; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C530363:PRG-1 protein, C elegans; D011498:Protein Precursors; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering
21U; 22G; C. elegans; Piwi; biogenesis; piRNA; pid-1