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Zili is required for germ cell differentiation and meiosis in zebrafish.

ABSTRACT: Small RNAs exert an effect through diverse RNA interference pathways to transcriptionally or post-transcriptionally silence their targets. The Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) represent a germline-specific small RNA pathway where Piwi proteins themselves are thought to mediate piRNA biosynthesis. Here, we provide strong evidence for a piRNA amplification loop in zebrafish, in which Ziwi and Zili bind piRNAs of opposite polarity. Furthermore, we describe a function for Zili in transposon defense and germ cell differentiation, as well as a crucial function in meiosis, significantly extending the function of Piwi proteins beyond the control of transposable elements in vertebrates.

SUBMITTER: Houwing S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2572183 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Zili is required for germ cell differentiation and meiosis in zebrafish.

Houwing Saskia S Berezikov Eugene E Ketting René F RF

The EMBO journal 20081002 20

Small RNAs exert an effect through diverse RNA interference pathways to transcriptionally or post-transcriptionally silence their targets. The Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) represent a germline-specific small RNA pathway where Piwi proteins themselves are thought to mediate piRNA biosynthesis. Here, we provide strong evidence for a piRNA amplification loop in zebrafish, in which Ziwi and Zili bind piRNAs of opposite polarity. Furthermore, we describe a function for Zili in transposon defense an ...[more]

PMID: 18833190

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