Zili is required for germ cell differentiation and meiosis in zebrafish
Open Access
- 2 October 2008
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Nature in The EMBO Journal
- Vol. 27 (20), 2702-2711
- https://doi.org/10.1038/emboj.2008.204
Abstract
Small RNAs exert an effect through diverse RNA interference pathways to transcriptionally or post‐transcriptionally silence their targets. The Piwi‐interacting RNAs (piRNAs) represent a germline‐specific small RNA pathway where Piwi proteins themselves are thought to mediate piRNA biosynthesis. Here, we provide strong evidence for a piRNA amplification loop in zebrafish, in which Ziwi and Zili bind piRNAs of opposite polarity. Furthermore, we describe a function for Zili in transposon defense and germ cell differentiation, as well as a crucial function in meiosis, significantly extending the function of Piwi proteins beyond the control of transposable elements in vertebrates.Keywords
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