title: Distinct features of the piRNA pathway in somatic and germ cells: from piRNA cluster transcription to piRNA processing and amplification.
abstract: Transposable elements (TEs) are major components of genomes. Their mobilization may affect genomic expression and be a threat to genetic stability. This is why they have to be tightly regulated by a dedicated system. In the reproductive tissues of a large range of organisms, they are repressed by a subclass of small interfering RNAs called piRNAs (PIWI interacting RNAs). In Drosophila melanogaster, piRNAs are produced both in the ovarian germline cells and in their surrounding somatic cells. Accumulating evidence suggests that germinal and somatic piRNA pathways are far more different than previously thought. Here we review the current knowledge on piRNA production in both these cell types, and explore their similarities and differences.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire GReD, Faculté de Médecine, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, 28 Place H Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.|Inserm, U 1103, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France.|CNRS, UMR 6293, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Emmanuelle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Théron
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire GReD, Faculté de Médecine, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, 28 Place H Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.|Inserm, U 1103, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France.|CNRS, UMR 6293, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dennis
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire GReD, Faculté de Médecine, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, 28 Place H Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.|Inserm, U 1103, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France.|CNRS, UMR 6293, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brasset
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire GReD, Faculté de Médecine, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, 28 Place H Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.|Inserm, U 1103, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France.|CNRS, UMR 6293, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vaury
keywords: Germline protection; RNA silencing; Transposable elements; piRNA pathway