gene silencing by siRNA-directed DNA methylation
gene silencing by sirna-directed dna methylation
A small RNA-based gene silencing process in which small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) guide DNA methylation to the siRNA-generating genomic loci and other loci that are homologous to the siRNAs for de novo DNA methylation. This results in a heterochromatin assembly, a chromatin conformation that is refractory to transcription. In general this process consists of three phases: biogenesis of siRNAs, scaffold RNA production, and the formation of the guiding complex that recruits de novo DNA methyltransferases to the target loci. Transposable elements are silenced by this mechanism.