Endogenous RNA interference provides a somatic defense against Drosophila transposons Journal Article
| Authors: | Chung, W. J.; Okamura, K.; Martin, R.; Lai, E. C. |
| Article Title: | Endogenous RNA interference provides a somatic defense against Drosophila transposons |
| Abstract: | Background: Because of the mutagenic consequences of mobile genetic elements, elaborate defenses have evolved to restrict their activity. A major system that controls the activity of transposable elements (TEs) in flies and vertebrates is mediated by Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), which are ∼24-30 nucleotide RNAs that are bound by Piwi-class effectors. The piRNA system is thought to provide primarily a germline defense against TE activity. Results: Here, we describe a second system that represses Drosophila TEs by using endogenous small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which are 21 nucleotide, 3′-end-modified RNAs that are dependent on Dicer-2 and Argonaute-2. In contrast to piRNAs, we find that the TE-siRNA system is active in somatic tissues, and particularly so in various immortalized cell lines. Analysis of the patterns and properties of TE-derived small RNAs reveals further distinctions between TE regions and genomic loci that are converted into piRNAs and siRNAs, respectively. Finally, functional tests show that many transposon transcripts accumulate to higher levels in cells and animal tissues that are deficient for Dicer-2 or Argonaute-2. Conclusions: Drosophila utilizes two small-RNA systems to restrict transposon activity in the germline (mostly via piRNAs) and in the soma (mostly via siRNAs). © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |
| Keywords: | animal; metabolism; animals; cells, cultured; small interfering rna; rna, small interfering; drosophila; rna interference; animalia; vertebrata; rna; biosynthesis; cell culture; rna helicase; drosophila proteins; rna helicases; rna-induced silencing complex; transposon; rna induced silencing complex; drosophila protein; ribonuclease iii; dna transposable elements; argonaute 2 protein, drosophila; dcr 2 protein, drosophila; dcr-2 protein, drosophila |
| Journal Title: | Current Biology |
| Volume: | 18 |
| Issue: | 11 |
| ISSN: | 0960-9822 |
| Publisher: | Cell Press |
| Date Published: | 2008-06-03 |
| Start Page: | 795 |
| End Page: | 802 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.cub.2008.05.006 |
| PUBMED: | 18501606 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC2812477 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 78" - "Export Date: 17 November 2011" - "CODEN: CUBLE" - "Source: Scopus" |
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