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Access through your institution Buy or subscribe Andersen _et al_. sought to understand how piRNA cluster loci in _D. melanogaster_ are bidirectionally transcribed despite lacking overt
promoter DNA sequences and being in heterochromatin that harbours the classic repressive mark histone H3 lysine trimethylation (H3K9me3). Deleting promoters in DNA flanking the 42AB and 80F
piRNA clusters indicated that these piRNA clusters were not transcribed via readthrough from flanking regions. Instead, cap sequencing (Cap-seq) to pinpoint the 5′ end of transcripts
revealed pervasive initiation of transcription from many sites within the piRNA clusters. To identify potential molecular mediators of this transcription initiation within piRNA clusters,
the authors mined data from a published transposon derepression screen, focusing on hits that have sequence similarity to known transcription initiation machinery. They identified CG12721 as
a potential ovary-specific paralogue of the large subunit of transcription factor IIA (TFIIA-L). Its role as a driver of piRNA cluster transcription was supported by its enrichment at piRNA
clusters, its interactions with other transcription initiation proteins and, because its knockout led to depleted piRNA expression from the 42AB and 80F piRNA clusters, transposon
derepression and fly sterility. Based on this function, the authors named CG12721 'Moonshiner' in reference to its activity in the face of the transcriptional
'prohibition' of the heterochromatin environment. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution ACCESS OPTIONS Access through your institution Access
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local taxes which are calculated during checkout ADDITIONAL ACCESS OPTIONS: * Log in * Learn about institutional subscriptions * Read our FAQs * Contact customer support REFERENCES *
Andersen, P. R. et al. A heterochromatin-dependent transcription machinery drives piRNA expression. _Nature_ http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature23482 (2017) * Jih, G. et al. Unique roles for
histone H3K9me states in RNAi and heritable silencing of transcription. _Nature_ 547, 463–467 (2017) Article CAS Google Scholar Download references Authors * Darren J. Burgess View author
publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RELATED LINKS RELATED LINKS RELATED LINKS IN NATURE RESEARCH Holoch, D. & Moazed, D. RNA-mediated epigenetic
regulation of gene expression. _Nat. Rev. Genet._ 16, 71–84 (2015) RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Burgess, D. Probing a piRNA paradox.
_Nat Rev Genet_ 18, 639 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg.2017.76 Download citation * Published: 11 September 2017 * Issue Date: November 2017 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg.2017.76
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