page_title: Piwi
hierarchical_section_title: Piwi
caption_attribution_description: Piwi-piRNA interactions: Within the nucleus, this pathway is involved in DNA methylation (A) and histone methylation of H3K9 through interactions with heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) and H3K9 histone methyltransferase (B). The Piwi-piRNA pathway also interacts with the elF translational initiator (C). Modified from Lindse K, 2013 &#91;1&#93;.
context_page_description: Piwi genes were identified as regulatory proteins responsible for stem cell and germ cell differentiation. Piwi is an abbreviation of P-element Induced WImpy testis in Drosophila. Piwi proteins are highly conserved RNA-binding proteins and are present in both plants and animals. Piwi proteins belong to the Argonaute/Piwi family and have been classified as nuclear proteins. Studies on Drosophila have also indicated that Piwi proteins have slicer activity conferred by the presence of the Piwi domain. In addition, Piwi associates with heterochromatin protein 1, an epigenetic modifier, and piRNA-complementary sequences. These are indications of the role Piwi plays in epigenetic regulation. Piwi proteins are also thought to control the biogenesis of piRNA as many Piwi-like proteins contain slicer activity which would allow Piwi proteins to process precursor piRNA into mature piRNA.
context_section_description: Piwi (or PIWI) genes were identified as regulatory proteins responsible for stem cell and germ cell differentiation. Piwi is an abbreviation of P-element Induced WImpy testis in Drosophila. Piwi proteins are highly conserved RNA-binding proteins and are present in both plants and animals. Piwi proteins belong to the Argonaute/Piwi family and have been classified as nuclear proteins. Studies on Drosophila have also indicated that Piwi proteins have slicer activity conferred by the presence of the Piwi domain. In addition, Piwi associates with heterochromatin protein 1, an epigenetic modifier, and piRNA-complementary sequences. These are indications of the role Piwi plays in epigenetic regulation. Piwi proteins are also thought to control the biogenesis of piRNA as many Piwi-like proteins contain slicer activity which would allow Piwi proteins to process precursor piRNA into mature piRNA.
caption: Piwi-piRNA interactions: Within the nucleus, this pathway is involved in DNA methylation (A), histone methylation of H3K9 through interactions with heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) and H3K9 histone methyltransferase (B). The Piwi-piRNA pathway also interacts with the elF translational initiator (C).[3]
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