Small RNA sorting: matchmaking for Argonautes.
Small RNAs directly or indirectly impact nearly every biological process in eukaryotic cells. To perform their myriad roles, not only must precise small RNA species be generated, but they must also be loaded into specific effector complexes called RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs). Argonaute proteins form the core of RISCs and different members of this large family have specific expression patterns, protein binding partners and biochemical capabilities. In this Review, we explore the mechanisms that pair specific small RNA strands with their partner proteins, with an eye towards the substantial progress that has been recently made in understanding the sorting of the major small RNA classes - microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) - in plants and animals.
Watson School of Biological Sciences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA.
Benjamin
B
Czech
Gregory J
GJ
Hannon
D000818:Animals; D004175:Diptera / Q000378:metabolism; D039642:Eukaryotic Initiation Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism; D034443:RNA Transport; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D034743:RNA-Induced Silencing Complex / Q000378:metabolism
D039642:Eukaryotic Initiation Factors; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D034743:RNA-Induced Silencing Complex