Issue |
Med Sci (Paris)
Volume 29, Number 5, Mai 2013
|
|
---|---|---|
Page(s) | 487 - 494 | |
Section | M/S Revues | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/medsci/2013295011 | |
Published online | 28 May 2013 |
Les piARN forgent un système immunitaire pour le génome
The piRNAs forge an immune system for the genome
1
European molecular biology laboratory (EMBL), 6, rue Jules Horowitz, BP 181, 38042 Grenoble, France
2
Center for biological sequence analysis (CBS), Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Kgs. Lyngby, Danemark
*
muller.sbr@gmail.com
muller@cbs.dtu.dk
**
rrpandey@embl.fr
***
pillai@embl.fr
L’intégrité du génome des lignées germinales est essentielle pour la survie des espèces. Un mécanisme de défense basé sur l’utilisation de petits ARN appelés piARN (PIWI-interacting RNA) a évolué pour protéger ces lignées des effets délétères des éléments transposables. La machinerie piARN élabore à l’échelle du génome une réponse similaire à celle du système immunitaire. La reconnaissance de la menace est assurée par une complémentarité de séquence entre un vaste répertoire de piARN et les intrus, et déclenche une dégradation adaptée et mémorisée de la cible. Cette revue résume les connaissances actuelles de cette surprenante immunité qui protège la transmission de l’information génétique.
Abstract
Genome integrity of germline is essential for the survival of any species. A dedicated defence mechanism based on small RNA called piRNA (PIWI-interacting RNA) has evolved to protect the germline from the deleterious effects of transposon mobility in genomes such as mutations, deletions or chromosomal rearrangements. The piRNA machinery ensures genomic integrity to germ cells by setting a response similar to the immune system. The recognition of the threat is mediated by sequence complementarity between a vast repertoire of piRNAs and the intruders, and initiates a rapid and efficient degradation of the targets. Akin to acquired immunity, the response is memorized throughout generations thanks to epigenetic modifications. Investigations are progressing to unravel the mysterious mechanisms of this exciting class of non coding RNAs. This review summarizes some of the recent advances on this exceptional immunity that protects transmission of genetic information.
© 2013 médecine/sciences – Inserm
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