R2D2 leads the silencing trigger to mRNA's death star.
During RNA interference (RNAi), Dicer generates short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which then guide target mRNA cleavage by the RISC complex. Now, Liu et al. identify R2D2, a Dicer-associated protein that is important for siRNA incorporation into RISC, thus linking the initiation and execution phases of RNAi.
Pellino
Janice L
JL
Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
Sontheimer
Erik J
EJ
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004330:Drosophila / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020868:Gene Silencing; D034622:RNA Interference; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D043244:Ribonuclease III / Q000378:metabolism
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C478068:R2D2 protein, Drosophila; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D043244:Ribonuclease III