Figure 5. Model for maintenance of satellite DNA (satDNA) chromatin in female germline.

Complex satDNA transcription is regulated by the heterochromatin-dependent Rhino-Deadlock-Cutoff and Moonshiner machinery, and the long RNA transcripts are processed into piRNAs. While their functions in ovaries are unclear, these piRNAs play roles in the establishment of heterochromatin at their own genomic loci in embryos. This pathway may be important for maintaining genome stability in pericentric heterochromatin, proper nuclear organization, and other unexplored functions.