mut-16 and other mutator class genes modulate 22G and 26G siRNA pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1018695108
• Publication Date: 2011-01-19T05:04:46Z
• Authors: Chi Zhang; Taiowa A. Montgomery; Harrison W. Gabel; Sylvia E. J. Fischer; Carolyn M. Phillips; Noah Fahlgren; Christopher M. Su...; James C. Carrington; Gary Ruvkun
• Keywords: Piwi-interacting RNA; Argonaute; RasiRNA

Argonaute-associated siRNAs and Piwi-associated piRNAs have overlapping roles in silencing mobile genetic elements animals. In Caenorhabditis elegans , mutator ( mut ) class genes mediate siRNA-guided repression of transposons as well exogenous RNAi, but their endogenous RNA pathways are not well-understood. To characterize the small RNAs dependent on genes, populations from a null allele mut-16 regulatory mg461 that disables only somatic RNAi were subjected to deep sequencing. Additionally, each was tested for requirement 26G siRNA pathways. The results indicate is an essential factor multiple germline involving several distinct Argonautes RNA-dependent polymerases. also reveal mut-2 mut-7 ERGO-1 pathway less critical mut-8 mut-14 mut-15 . We show hypersusceptible –dependent identify machinery piRNA biogenesis Tc1 transposons. soma-specific mutant present C. laboratory strains.