Small RNAs of opposite sign… but same absolute value.

Sontheimer, Erik J · Cell · 2012

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

In ciliates, small RNAs have been shown to target foreign sequences for silencing via elimination from the somatic genome. Fang et al. now reveal a set of Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) in Oxytricha trifallax that likewise enable genomic self versus nonself discrimination, this time by specifying self sequences for genome retention.