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. 2011 Sep-Oct;8(5):754-9.
doi: 10.4161/rna.8.5.16042. Epub 2011 Jul 19.

Developmental functions of piRNAs and transposable elements: a Drosophila point-of-view

Martine Simonelig  1
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Developmental functions of piRNAs and transposable elements: a Drosophila point-of-view

Martine Simonelig. RNA Biol. 2011 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

The primary function of the piRNA pathway is to repress the expression and transposition of transposable elements. However, the piRNA pathway has additional biological and developmental functions. These functions are either a consequence of transposon regulation, or they result from direct roles of transposable elements in chromosome structure and gene regulation through piRNAs. Recent data have extended the functions of transposable elements in gene regulation, revealing a trans-acting role of transposable element piRNAs in the control of gene expression. Over the last few years, extensive studies on the piRNA pathway have rapidly increased our understanding of the relationships between transposable elements and the host genome, and of the essential role of transposable elements in biological and developmental processes.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Role of the piRNA pathway in gene and chromosome regulation. Models of the mechanisms of regulation involving piRNAs. A and B: trans-effect of piRNAs on mRNAs leading to gene regulation. C and D: cis-effect of transposable elements and of potential interacting piRNAs involved in chromosome structure and function. A complete chromosome is represented; it remains unknown whether piRNAs interact with nascent transcripts in these cases. TE, transposable elements; SpnE, Spindle-E. See text for details.
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