prg-1 encodes a novel, basic protein that is one of two C. elegans members of the Piwi subfamily of highly conserved Argonaut/Piwi proteins; during development, PRG-1 activity is essential for successful gametogenesis, normal levels of fertility, and accumulation of 21 U-RNAs (piRNAs), small RNAs expressed in the germ line; in addition, PRG-1 appears to act upstream of an siRNA pathway to regulate transposition of the Tc3 DNA transposon; PRG-1 physically interacts with 21 U-RNAs in vivo; PRG-1 localizes to P granules throughout development.
Enables 21U-RNA binding activity. Involved in 21U-RNA metabolic process; gamete generation; and positive regulation of mitotic nuclear division. Located in P granule. Expressed in germ line and in male. Is an ortholog of human PIWIL1 (piwi like RNA-mediated gene silencing 1) and PIWIL3 (piwi like RNA-mediated gene silencing 3).
Map position created from combination of previous interpolated map position (based on known location of sequence) and allele information. Therefore this is not a genetic map position based on recombination frequencies or genetic experiments. This was done on advice of the CGC.