Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Kim IV
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6824462 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Kim Iana V IV Duncan Elizabeth M EM Ross Eric J EJ Gorbovytska Vladyslava V Nowotarski Stephanie H SH Elliott Sarah A SA Sánchez Alvarado Alejandro A Kuhn Claus-D CD
Genes & development 20190919 21-22
PIWI proteins utilize small RNAs called piRNAs to silence transposable elements, thereby protecting germline integrity. In planarian flatworms, PIWI proteins are essential for regeneration, which requires adult stem cells termed neoblasts. Here, we characterize planarian piRNAs and examine the roles of PIWI proteins in neoblast biology. We find that the planarian PIWI proteins SMEDWI-2 and SMEDWI-3 cooperate to degrade active transposons via the ping-pong cycle. Unexpectedly, we discover that SM ...[more]