The Making of an siRNA.
An array of gene silencing pathways share a common early step: Dicer cleaves double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into approximately 20-25 nucleotide fragments that direct the silencing machinery to specific targets. A recent report in Cell reveals how Dicer's two RNase III domains collaborate during dsRNA processing and sets the stage for a deeper understanding of Dicer's roles in later phases of silencing complex assembly.
Pham
John W
JW
Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology, Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
Sontheimer
Erik J
EJ
D000818:Animals; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006801:Humans; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D034622:RNA Interference; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D034743:RNA-Induced Silencing Complex / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D043244:Ribonuclease III / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D034743:RNA-Induced Silencing Complex; D043244:Ribonuclease III