Argonaute proteins: key players in RNA silencing.
During the past decade, small non-coding RNAs have rapidly emerged as important contributors to gene regulation. To carry out their biological functions, these small RNAs require a unique class of proteins called Argonautes. The discovery and our comprehension of this highly conserved protein family is closely linked to the study of RNA-based gene silencing mechanisms. With their functional domains, Argonaute proteins can bind small non-coding RNAs and control protein synthesis, affect messenger RNA stability and even participate in the production of a new class of small RNAs, Piwi-interacting RNAs.
Hutvagner
Gyorgy
G
Wellcome Trust Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK. g.hutvagner@dundee.ac.uk
Simard
Martin J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D060565:Argonaute Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D015852:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2 / Q000502:physiology*; D039642:Eukaryotic Initiation Factors; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010944:Plants; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000502:physiology; D034622:RNA Interference; D020871:RNA Stability / Q000502:physiology; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000502:physiology; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000502:physiology*
C117457:AGO1 protein, Arabidopsis; C489654:AGO1 protein, Drosophila; C466422:AGO2 protein, human; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D060565:Argonaute Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D015852:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2; D039642:Eukaryotic Initiation Factors; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D022661:RNA, Untranslated