The emerging world of small silencing RNAs in protozoan parasites

Trends Parasitol. 2011 Jul;27(7):321-7. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2011.03.002. Epub 2011 Apr 15.

Abstract

A new RNA world has emerged in the past 10 years with the discovery of a plethora of 20- to 30-nucleotide long small RNAs that are involved in various gene silencing mechanisms. These small RNAs have considerably changed our view of the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotic organisms, with a major shift towards epigenetic and post-transcriptional mechanisms. In this article, we focus on the striking diversity of small silencing RNAs that have been identified in several protozoan parasites and their potential biological role.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Eukaryota / genetics*
  • Eukaryota / metabolism*
  • Gene Silencing / physiology*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / immunology*

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering