PiRNA Biogenesis on Maragkakis Lab

Topoisomerase 3b facilitates piRNA biogenesis to promote transposon silencing and germ cell development

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Summary

This study identifies Topoisomerase 3β as a factor that facilitates piRNA biogenesis, with loss of TOP3B leading to reduced piRNA production, derepression of transposable elements, and impaired germ cell development. The findings reveal a novel role for a DNA/RNA topoisomerase in small RNA biology.

Kc167, a widely used Drosophila cell line, contains an active primary piRNA pathway

Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Summary

This study characterizes the small RNA content of the Drosophila Kc167 cell line and demonstrates that it contains an active primary piRNA pathway. The findings establish Kc167 cells as a useful model system for studying piRNA biogenesis and function in vitro.

The RNA helicase MOV10L1 binds piRNA precursors to initiate piRNA processing

Sun, 15 Mar 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Summary

This study demonstrates that MOV10L1, a germline-specific RNA helicase, directly binds to piRNA precursors and is required for their processing into mature piRNAs. MOV10L1 acts upstream of Piwi proteins in the piRNA biogenesis pathway, providing mechanistic insight into piRNA production.

Mitochondrial protein BmPAPI modulates the length of mature piRNAs

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Summary

This study identifies BmPAPI, a mitochondrial protein in the silkworm Bombyx mori, as a factor that modulates the length of mature piRNAs. The findings provide mechanistic insight into the piRNA 3’ end processing pathway and link mitochondria to piRNA biogenesis.