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GATE 2025 BT – Question 16

Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology · Molecular Biology: Replication, transcription, splicing, translation, non-coding and micro RNA, RNA interference, DNA damage and repair · 1 mark · Multiple choice

Which one of the following is true for piRNAs?

  1. piRNAs silence transposable elements in germ cells
  2. piRNA is the abbreviation of P-element interacting RNA
  3. piRNAs modify the 2'-OH of ribose with methyl group
  4. piRNA is a long non-coding RNA

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Correct answer: (A) piRNAs silence transposable elements in germ cells

Explanation

piRNAs (PIWI-interacting RNAs) of about 24-31 nucleotides silence transposable elements in the germ line. The name comes from the PIWI proteins, they are small RNAs, and it is the piRNA 3' end that is 2'-O-methylated, not the other way round.