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  • Title: SMEDWI-2 is a PIWI-like protein that regulates planarian stem cells.
    Author: Reddien PW, Oviedo NJ, Jennings JR, Jenkin JC, Sánchez Alvarado A.
    Journal: Science; 2005 Nov 25; 310(5752):1327-30. PubMed ID: 16311336.
    Abstract:
    We have identified two genes, smedwi-1 and smedwi-2, expressed in the dividing adult stem cells (neoblasts) of the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. Both genes encode proteins that belong to the Argonaute/PIWI protein family and that share highest homology with those proteins defined by Drosophila PIWI. RNA interference (RNAi) of smedwi-2 blocks regeneration, even though neoblasts are present, irradiation-sensitive, and capable of proliferating in response to wounding; smedwi-2(RNAi) neoblast progeny migrate to sites of cell turnover but, unlike normal cells, fail at replacing aged tissue. We suggest that SMEDWI-2 functions within dividing neoblasts to support the generation of cells that promote regeneration and homeostasis.
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