Primary piRNA biogenesis: caught up in a Maelstrom

EMBO J. 2014 Sep 17;33(18):1979-80. doi: 10.15252/embj.201489670. Epub 2014 Aug 22.

Abstract

Precursors for most Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are indistinguishable from other RNA polymerase II-transcribed long noncoding RNAs. So, it is currently unclear how they are recognized as substrates by the piRNA processing machinery that resides in cytoplasmic granules called nuage. In this issue, Castaneda et al (2014) reveal a role for the nuage component and nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling protein Maelstrom in mouse piRNA biogenesis.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / deficiency*
  • Male
  • Mutation*
  • Pachytene Stage*
  • Protein Biosynthesis*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism*
  • Spermatogenesis*
  • Testis / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / deficiency*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Transcription Factors
  • maelstrom protein, mouse