piRNAs and PIWI proteins: regulators of gene expression in development and stem cells | Zendy

Patricia RojasRíos | Zendy; Martine Simonelig | Zendy

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piRNAs and PIWI proteins: regulators of gene expression in development and stem cells

Author(s) -

Patricia RojasRíos,

Martine Simonelig

Publication year - 2018

Publication title -

development

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 3.754

H-Index - 325

eISSN - 1477-9129

pISSN - 0950-1991

DOI - 10.1242/dev.161786

Subject(s) - biology , piwi interacting rna , gene , stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression , genetics , regulation of gene expression , computational biology , rna interference , rna

PIWI proteins and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have established and conserved roles in repressing transposable elements (TEs) in the germline of animals. However, in several biological contexts, a large proportion of piRNAs are not related to TE sequences and, accordingly, functions for piRNAs and PIWI proteins that are independent of TE regulation have been identified. This aspect of piRNA biology is expanding rapidly. Indeed, recent reports have revealed the role of piRNAs in the regulation of endogenous gene expression programs in germ cells, as well as in somatic tissues, challenging dogma in the piRNA field. In this Review, we focus on recent data addressing the biological and developmental functions of piRNAs, highlighting their roles in embryonic patterning, germ cell specification, stem cell biology, neuronal activity and metabolism.

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