Analysis of 3'-end formation mechanism of piRNAs involved in the silencing of transposons

• Project/Area Number: 26891004
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Molecular biology
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Izumi Natsuko 東京大学, 分子細胞生物学研究所, 助教 (50579274)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-08-29 – 2016-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2015)
• Budget Amount: ¥2,730,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥630,000); Fiscal Year 2015: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2014: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
• Keywords: RNAサイレンシング / 発現制御 / ゲノム / 核酸

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A class of small RNAs called PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) plays an important role in protecting the germline genome from the threat of transposons. This study identified “Trimmer” the enzyme that trims the 3’ end of precursor piRNAs to generate mature piRNAs, and demonstrated the mechanism and significance of piRNA maturation.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Identification and functional analysis of the pre-piRNA 3′ Trimmer in silkworms. (2016)
  • Author(s): Izumi N, Shoji K, Sakaguchi Y, Honda S, Kirino Y, Suzuki T, Katsuma S, Tomari Y
  • Journal Title: Cell Volume: 164 Issue: 5 Pages: 962-973
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.01.008
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research / Acknowledgement Compliant
• [Journal Article] The initial uridine of primary piRNAs does not create the tenth adenine that Is the hallmark of secondary piRNAs. (2014)
  • Author(s): Wang W, Yoshikawa M, Han BW, Izumi N, Tomari Y, Weng Z, Zamore PD
  • Journal Title: Mol Cell Volume: 56 Issue: 5 Pages: 708-716
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2014.10.016
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] Identification of pre-piRNA trimming enzyme “Trimmer” in the silkworm (2015)
  • Author(s): Natsuko Izumi, Keisuke Shoji, Yuriko Sakaguchi, Tsutomu Suzuki, Susumu Katsuma, Yukihide Tomari
  • Organizer: 日本RNA学会
  • Place of Presentation: 札幌, ホテルライフォート札幌
  • Year and Date: 2015-07-15
• [Presentation] A biochemical approach to identify “Trimmer,” the pre-piRNA 3’-end processing enzyme (2014)
  • Author(s): Natsuko Izumi and Yukihide Tomari
  • Organizer: Joint Australia and Japan RNA Meeting (jajRNA 2014)
  • Place of Presentation: オーストラリア (シドニー)
  • Year and Date: 2014-11-02 – 2014-11-05
• [Remarks] プレスリリース
  • URL: http://www.iam.u-tokyo.ac.jp/pressrelease160226.html
• [Remarks] UTokyo Research
  • URL: http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ja/utokyo-research/research-news/unveiling-the-maturation-mechanism-of-germline-genome-guardians.html
• [Remarks] ライフサイエンス 新着論文レビュー
  • URL: http://first.lifesciencedb.jp/archives/12190