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Title: A DEAD-box RNA helicase mediates meiotic silencing by unpaired DNA
Abstract

During the sexual phase of Neurospora crassa, unpaired genes are subject to a silencing mechanism known as meiotic silencing by unpaired DNA (MSUD). MSUD targets the transcripts of an unpaired gene and utilizes typical RNA interference factors for its process. Using a reverse genetic screen, we have identified a meiotic silencing gene called sad-9, which encodes a DEAD-box RNA helicase. While not essential for vegetative growth, SAD-9 plays a crucial role in both sexual development and MSUD. Our results suggest that SAD-9, with the help of the SAD-2 scaffold protein, recruits the SMS-2 Argonaute to the perinuclear region, the center of MSUD activity.

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Award ID(s):
1715534
NSF-PAR ID:
10440002
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Oxford University Press
Date Published:
Journal Name:
G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics
Volume:
13
Issue:
8
ISSN:
2160-1836
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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