Size does matter: piRNA and miRNA targeting

Marek Marzec

doi:10.1016/j.tibs.2021.12.001

Size does matter: piRNA and miRNA targeting

Trends Biochem Sci. 2022 Apr;47(4):287-288. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2021.12.001. Epub 2021 Dec 13.

Author

Marek Marzec¹

Affiliation

¹ University of Silesia in Katowice, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology, and Environmental Protection, Jagiellonska 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland. Electronic address: marek.marzec@us.edu.pl.

PMID: 34916100
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2021.12.001

Abstract

Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) guide PIWI proteins to bind and cleave RNAs. Originally, piRNAs were described as a system for transposable element repression. Recently, Anzelon, Choudhury, Hughes et al. uncovered the structural basis for piRNA targeting, whereby they are recognized in a manner distinct from targeting by miRNAs.

Keywords: Argonaute; PIWI; RNA binding; miRNA; piwi-interacting RNA; targeting.

MeSH terms

Argonaute Proteins* / metabolism
DNA Transposable Elements / genetics
MicroRNAs* / genetics
RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism

Substances

Argonaute Proteins
DNA Transposable Elements
MicroRNAs
RNA, Small Interfering