Zili is required for germ cell differentiation and meiosis in zebrafish.

TY - JOUR

T1 - Zili is required for germ cell differentiation and meiosis in zebrafish.

AU - Houwing, S.

AU - Berezikov, E.

AU - Ketting, R.F.

N1 - Reporting year: 2008

PY - 2008

Y1 - 2008

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

U2 - 10.1038/emboj.2008.204

DO - 10.1038/emboj.2008.204

M3 - Article

SN - 0261-4189

VL - 27

SP - 2702

EP - 2711

JO - EMBO Journal

JF - EMBO Journal

IS - 20

ER -