PiRNAs Rise to Rescue Koalas

Publication date: 17 October 2019Source: Cell, Volume 179, Issue 3Author(s): Astrid D. Haase, Todd S. MacfarlanPIWI-interacting small RNAs (piRNAs) establish sequence-specific adaptive restriction of resident genomic parasites to guard genome integrity. In this issue of Cell, Yu, Koppetsch, et al. describe an innate piRNA-response that specifically fragments the viral RNA genome in the germline of recently invaded koalas. This first line of defense might ensure survival until adaptive immunity develops.
Source: Cell - Category: Cytology Source Type: research