Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER FOUR
Small RNAs in Germ Cell Development
Torsten U. Banisch, Mehdi Goudarzi,
and
Erez Raz
Contents
1. Introduction: The Germ Cell Lineage and Small RNA Molecules
80
81
1.1. PGC specification: Preformation/epigenesis
81
1.2. Germline development in different model organisms
85
1.3. Small RNAs in germ cell development
85
2. miRNAs in Germ Cell Development
85
2.1. miRNA biogenesis and function
86
2.2. miRNA function during PGC specification
2.3. miRNAs in germ cell maintenance and development
89
91
2.4. miRNA function in the somatic cells of the gonad
3. Endogenous-siRNAs in Germ Cell Development
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93
3.1. endo-siRNA biogenesis and function
3.2. endo-siRNA function in germ cell differentiation—Oogenesis
94
3.3. endo-siRNA function in germ cell
differentiation—Spermatogenesis
95
95
4. piRNAs in Germ Cell Development
96
4.1. piRNA biogenesis and function
98
4.2. piRNAs function in germ cell specification
4.3. piRNA function in germline stem cell maintenance
and gametogenesis
98
99
5. Conclusion
Acknowledgments
100
References
100
Abstract
The identification of small RNA molecules and the elucidation of their functions
in the cell enhanced our understanding of the mechanisms controlling gene
expression at the posttranscriptional level. Here, we review findings concerning
the role small RNA molecules play in the development of the germline in various
organisms. In this context, microRNAs (miRNAs) function predominantly in
regulating mRNA expression and turnover and direct the expression of specific
proteins to founders of the germline, the primordial germ cells (PGCs). miRNA
Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation, Institute of Cell Biology, University of M¨nster, M¨nster,
Germany
