title: Structure and function of argonaute proteins.
abstract: Argonaute (Ago) family proteins are multidomain proteins expressed in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. In eukaryotes, Ago proteins are most well known for their roles in RNA silencing. In prokaryotes, the functions of Ago proteins are unknown, but based on their similarity to eukaryotic Ago proteins, they could be involved in nucleic acid-directed regulatory pathways related to RNA silencing. Recent structural and biochemical studies have shed new light on the function of this family of proteins. These studies reveal how these proteins recognize and cleave RNA and suggest a function for prokaryotic family members.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Structural Biology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA. hall4@niehs.nih.gov
authors.forename: Traci M Tanaka
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011387:Prokaryotic Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000737:chemistry; D055672:Static Electricity; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D014867:Water; D012313:RNA