Biogenesis and Function of Ago-Associated RNAs.
Numerous sophisticated high-throughput sequencing technologies have been developed over the past decade, and these have enabled the discovery of a diverse catalog of small non-coding (nc)RNA molecules that function as regulatory entities by associating with Argonaute (Ago) proteins. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are currently the best-described class of post-transcriptional regulators that follow a specific biogenesis pathway characterized by Drosha/DGCR8 and Dicer processing. However, more exotic miRNA-like species that bypass particular steps of the canonical miRNA biogenesis pathway continue to emerge, with one of the most recent additions being the agotrons, which escape both Drosha/DGCR8- and Dicer-processing. We review here the current knowledge and most recent discoveries relating to alternative functions and biogenesis strategies for Ago-associated RNAs in mammals.
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG), and Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
Iben
I
Daugaard
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG), and Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. Electronic address: tbh@mbg.au.dk.
Thomas Birkballe
TB
Hansen
D060565:Argonaute Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D058727:RNA, Small Untranslated / Q000235:genetics*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D043244:Ribonuclease III / Q000235:genetics
D060565:Argonaute Proteins; C474043:DGCR8 protein, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D058727:RNA, Small Untranslated; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; C408087:DICER1 protein, human; D043244:Ribonuclease III; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases