The beginning of the end: Vienna BioCenter collaboration reveals how PIWI proteins protect animal genomes
Scientists from the labs of Julius Brennecke at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, and Clemens Plaschka at the IMP, have discovered how PIWI proteins initiate transposon silencing once they bind to a target RNA. By combining AlphaFold-based modeling with genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology, the researchers identified the first protein interactions that trigger this defense, revealing how cells safeguard genome integrity in reproductive cells. Published in Molecular Cell (Sept 4), the study highlights the power of AI-driven structure prediction in unraveling dynamic molecular processes.