Small RNAs and RNAi pathways in meiotic prophase I.

RNA interference is involved in many aspects of cell biology, and the recent identification of germ-cell specific small RNAs has led to speculation that RNAi might also be involved in gametogenesis. Work in yeast indicates that RNAi is involved in establishing and maintaining heterochromatin at centromeres, an important component of yeast and mammalian meiosis. Here we review developments in the field of RNAi and relate these to possible roles in mammalian gametogenesis.