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Defining the functions of PIWI-interacting RNAs

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology volume 22, pages 239–240 (2021)Cite this article

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In the animal germ line, PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) silence transposons and may also control gene expression. Distinct, but not incompatible, models have been proposed for how piRNAs regulate genes. To promote discussion in the small RNA community of how best to test these models, we propose criteria for validating piRNA function.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Howard Hughes Medical Institute and RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    Pei-Hsuan Wu & Phillip D. Zamore

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  1. Pei-Hsuan Wu
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  2. Phillip D. Zamore
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Correspondence to Pei-Hsuan Wu or Phillip D. Zamore.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Wu, PH., Zamore, P.D. Defining the functions of PIWI-interacting RNAs. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 22, 239–240 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41580-021-00336-y

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