Abstract:
Argonaute proteins, guided by small RNAs, play crucial roles in gene regulation and genome protection through RNA interference (RNAi)-related mechanisms. Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), encoded by repeated rDNA units, constitute the core of the ribosome being the most abundant cellular transcripts. rDNA clusters also serve as sources of small RNAs, which are loaded into Argonaute proteins and are able to regulate rDNA itself or affect other gene targets. In this review, we consider the impact of small RNA pathways, specifically siRNAs and piRNAs, on rRNA gene regulation. Data from diverse eukaryotic organisms suggest the potential involvement of small RNAs in various molecular processes related to the rDNA transcription and rRNA fate. Endogenous siRNAs are integral to the chromatin-based silencing of rDNA loci in plants and have been shown to repress rDNA transcription in animals. Small RNAs also play a role in maintaining the integrity of rDNA clusters and may function in the cellular response to rDNA damage. Studies on the impact of RNAi and small RNAs on rRNA provide vast opportunities for future exploration.
摘要:
Argonaute蛋白,在小RNA的指导下,通过RNA干扰(RNAi)相关机制在基因调控和基因组保护中发挥关键作用。核糖体RNA(rRNA),由重复的rDNA单位编码,构成核糖体的核心是最丰富的细胞转录本。rDNA簇也可以作为小RNA的来源,它们被加载到Argonaute蛋白中,能够调节rDNA本身或影响其他基因靶标。在这次审查中,我们考虑小RNA通路的影响,特别是siRNA和piRNA,rRNA基因调控。来自不同真核生物的数据表明,小RNA可能参与与rDNA转录和rRNA命运相关的各种分子过程。内源性siRNA是植物中基于染色质的rDNA基因座沉默的组成部分,并已被证明在动物中抑制rDNA转录。小RNA还在维持rDNA簇的完整性中起作用,并且可能在对rDNA损伤的细胞应答中起作用。RNAi和小RNA对rRNA的影响的研究为未来的探索提供了广阔的机会。