title: Activating silent argonautes.
abstract: Multiple Argonaute proteins are implicated in gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi), but only one is known to be an endonuclease that can cleave target mRNAs. Chimeric Argonaute proteins now reveal an unexpected mechanism by which mutations distal to the catalytic center can unmask intrinsic catalytic activity, results hinting at structurally mediated regulation.
authors.forename: Mary Anne
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kidwell
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Doudna
mesh_terms: D060565:Argonaute Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D032621:DNA Shuffling; D019020:Directed Molecular Evolution; D039642:Eukaryotic Initiation Factors / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: C115848:AGO1 protein, human; C466422:AGO2 protein, human; C517143:AGO3 protein, human; C517144:AGO4 protein, human; D060565:Argonaute Proteins; D039642:Eukaryotic Initiation Factors