Functional proteomics identified an upstream trancription complex promoting piRNA biogenesis

Here we used functional proteomics approaches to identify an upstream transcription complex (USTC) that is required for piRNA biogenesis. The complex contains PRDE-1, SNPC-4, TOFU-4, and TOFU-5, all of which are enriched on the two piRNA clusters on chromosome IV and form distinct piRNA foci in the nucleus. Examination of functional role of a newly discovered complex in piRNA biogenesis