Abstract
Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a novel class of small regulatory RNAs that are expressed specifically and abundantly in germ cells. Mammalian piRNAs are 26-31 nucleotides in length and bind to Piwi proteins, but their function and biogenesis remain elusive. We previously showed that mammalian piRNAs are 2'-O-methylated at their 3' termini. The biosynthetic mechanism and function of this modification is unknown. Here, we report that the mouse homolog (mHEN1) of HEN1, a plant microRNA (miRNA) 2'-O-methyltransferase, is expressed specifically in testis and methylates 3' termini of piRNAs in vitro. These findings provide insight into the biogenesis of piRNAs.
Publication types
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Letter
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Argonaute Proteins
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism*
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Male
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Methylation
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Methyltransferases / genetics
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Methyltransferases / metabolism*
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Mice
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MicroRNAs / genetics
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MicroRNAs / metabolism
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Peptide Fragments / genetics
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Peptide Fragments / metabolism
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Proteins / genetics
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Proteins / metabolism*
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RNA / metabolism*
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Ribose / analogs & derivatives
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Ribose / genetics
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Ribose / metabolism
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Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid*
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Testis / enzymology
Substances
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Argonaute Proteins
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
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MicroRNAs
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Nhlh1 protein, mouse
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Peptide Fragments
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Piwil1 protein, mouse
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Proteins
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D-2-O-methylribose
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RNA
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Ribose
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Methyltransferases
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RNA 2'-O-methyltransferase