EXD1
Description
The EXD1 (exonuclease 3'-5' domain containing 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 15.
EXD1 is a component of the PET complex, a multiprotein complex essential for processing piRNAs during spermatogenesis. The PET complex is involved in the secondary piRNA metabolic process, where it facilitates the loading of PIWIL4 piRNAs triggered by PIWIL2 slicing. EXD1 acts as an RNA adapter within the complex, likely binding to both piRNAs and other PET complex components. It is an inactive exonuclease, meaning it does not possess enzymatic activity to break down RNA. The PET complex plays a crucial role in suppressing transposable elements during meiosis. This suppression occurs through the formation of complexes containing piRNAs and Piwi proteins, which regulate the methylation and subsequent repression of transposable elements, ensuring their stability and preventing their mobilization, which is critical for maintaining germline integrity.
EXD1 is also known as EXDL1.
