ABSTRACT
Heterochromatic long arm of mouse Y chromosome harbors the multicopy species-specific sequences Ssty, Sly, Asty, and Orly that are transcribed in testis. Of these Ssty and Sly genes encode proteins – yet all the copies of these RNAs are not translated. Using bioinformatic approaches, small RNA northern blots and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we demonstrate here that these multicopy gene families from mouse Y-long arm generate piRNAs predominantly in testis. Thus, we identified a piRNA cluster on mouse Y chromosome and also unraveled the dual role of Y-chromosome-encoded transcripts to act as primary transcripts of piRNAs in addition to their role as protein-coding RNAs.
HIGHLIGHTS
First report of a cluster of piRNAs on a mammalian Y chromosome
Report of primary transcripts of piRNAs
These piRNAs putatively regulate autosomal genes expressed in mouse testis Ssty and Sly genes code for proteins as well as generate piRNAs