Characterization of the piRNA complex from rat testes

Science. 2006 Jul 21;313(5785):363-7. doi: 10.1126/science.1130164. Epub 2006 Jun 15.

Abstract

Small noncoding RNAs regulate processes essential for cell growth and development, including mRNA degradation, translational repression, and transcriptional gene silencing (TGS). During a search for candidate mammalian factors for TGS, we purified a complex that contains small RNAs and Riwi, the rat homolog to human Piwi. The RNAs, frequently 29 to 30 nucleotides in length, are called Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), 94% of which map to 100 defined (< or = 101 kb) genomic regions. Within these regions, the piRNAs generally distribute across only one genomic strand or distribute on two strands but in a divergent, nonoverlapping manner. Preparations of piRNA complex (piRC) contain rRecQ1, which is homologous to qde-3 from Neurospora, a gene implicated in silencing pathways. Piwi has been genetically linked to TGS in flies, and slicer activity cofractionates with the purified complex. These results are consistent with a gene-silencing role for piRC in mammals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / isolation & purification
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Chromosomes, Mammalian
  • Conserved Sequence
  • DNA Helicases / isolation & purification
  • DNA Helicases / metabolism
  • Gene Library
  • Genome
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Untranslated / chemistry
  • RNA, Untranslated / genetics
  • RNA, Untranslated / isolation & purification
  • RNA, Untranslated / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • RecQ Helicases
  • Ribonucleoproteins / chemistry
  • Ribonucleoproteins / isolation & purification
  • Ribonucleoproteins / metabolism*
  • Testis / chemistry*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Proteins
  • RNA, Untranslated
  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • Riwi protein, rat
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases
  • RECQL protein, human
  • DNA Helicases
  • RecQ Helicases