Small RNA Pathways and Their Function in the Male Gametophyte

摘要: In animals, small RNAs are essential for reproductive development. Without the activity of members Piwi class Argonaute protein family, and their associated RNAs, formation maintenance germline, gametogenesis, cannot take place correctly. Reproductive development in plants is more complex than animals; instead haploid products meiosis leading directly to gametes, further mitotic divisions contribute a separate generation called gametophyte. As might be expected, gametophyte gametogenesis also relies on RNA systems. plants, almost all information so far gathered has come from studies male (pollen). Here, recent have revealed families known somatic cells diploid sporophyte – microRNAs, trans-acting siRNAs, natural antisense siRNAs involved RNA-dependent DNA methylation. Given apparent simplicity gametophyte, microRNAs tasiRNAs unexpectedly diverse. use systems control transposable element germline. There evidence that specific regulatory module gene pair, spawns nat-siRNAs sperm cells, key role fertilisation.