Question

You isolate piRISCs from cells. Based on what you know about how piRISCs silence transposable elements, what enzymatic activities do you anticipate will be associated with the proteins you've isolated (either in the piRISCs themselves, or in proteins that may have been associated with the piRISCs)?

Answer 1

The piwi interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that bind to PIWI proteins to inhibit both the transcription and translation of proteins encoded by Transposable Elements. For instance, the piRISC complexes are expected to inhibit the translation of Transposases that are responsible for the movement of these mobile genetic elements.