title: Functional and structural insights into the piRNA factor Maelstrom.
abstract: PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) is a germline-specific class of small non-coding RNAs that repress transposons in the gonads. Mael, which comprises a high mobility group box and a MAEL domain, is one of the key players in piRNA-mediated transposon silencing. However, the mechanism whereby Mael is involved in this pathway remains unknown. Recent biochemical and structural studies, along with bioinformatic analyses of Mael-associating RNAs in vivo, have shed light on the functional aspects of Mael in the piRNA pathway. We summarize the current understanding of Mael functions in the piRNA pathway, particularly in Drosophila and in mice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan. Electronic address: siomim@bs.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Mikiko C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Siomi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004330:Drosophila; D005260:Female; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D011487:Protein Conformation; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C552355:MAEL protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: Maelstrom; Microtubule-organizing center; PIWI; PIWI-interacting RNA; Transposon silencing