Analysis of small RNA in fission yeast; centromeric siRNAs are potentially generated through a structured RNA.

ABSTRACT: The formation of heterochromatin at the centromeres in fission yeast depends on transcription of the outer repeats. These transcripts are processed into siRNAs that target homologous loci for heterochromatin formation. Here, high throughput sequencing of small RNA provides a comprehensive analysis of centromere-derived small RNAs. We found that the centromeric small RNAs are Dcr1 dependent, carry 5'-monophosphates and are associated with Ago1. The majority of centromeric small RNAs originate from two remarkably well-conserved sequences that are present in all centromeres. The high degree of similarity suggests that this non-coding sequence in itself may be of importance. Consistent with this, secondary structure-probing experiments indicate that this centromeric RNA is partially double-str

SUBMITTER: Djupedal I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2797062 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature