Fidelity in RNA-based recognition of transposable elements

Ugolini, Ilaria und Halic, Mario (2018): Fidelity in RNA-based recognition of transposable elements. In: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, Vol. 373, No. 1762, 20180168

Abstract

Genomes are under constant threat of invasion by transposable elements and other genomic parasites. How can host genomes recognize these elements and target them for degradation? This requires a system that is highly adaptable, and at the same time highly specific. Current data suggest that perturbation of transcription patterns by transposon insertions could be detected by the RNAi surveillance pathway. Multiple transposon insertions might generate sufficient amounts of primal small RNAs to initiate generation of secondary small RNAs and silencing. At the same time primal small RNAs need to be constantly degraded to reduce the level of noise small RNAs below the threshold required for initiation of silencing. Failure in RNA degradation results in loss of fidelity of small RNA pathways and silencing of ectopic targets. This article is part of the theme issue '5' and 3' modifications controlling RNA degradation'.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Chemistry and Pharmacy > Department of Biochemistry
• Subjects: 500 Science > 540 Chemistry
• ISSN: 0962-8436
• Language: English