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Argonaute Proteins and Mechanisms of RNA Interference in Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes

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Abstract

Noncoding RNAs play essential roles in genetic regulation in all organisms. In eukaryotic cells, many small non-coding RNAs act in complex with Argonaute proteins and regulate gene expression by recognizing complementary RNA targets. The complexes of Argonaute proteins with small RNAs also play a key role in silencing of mobile genetic elements and, in some cases, viruses. These processes are collectively called RNA interference. RNA interference is a powerful tool for specific gene silencing in both basic research and therapeutic applications. Argonaute proteins are also found in prokaryotic organisms. Recent studies have shown that prokaryotic Argonautes can also cleave their target nucleic acids, in particular DNA. This activity of prokaryotic Argonautes might potentially be used to edit eukaryotic genomes. However, the molecular mechanisms of small nucleic acid biogenesis and the functions of Argonaute proteins, in particular in bacteria and archaea, remain largely unknown. Here we briefly review available data on the RNA interference processes and Argonaute proteins in eukaryotes and prokaryotes.

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Abbreviations

MID:

middle domain in Ago proteins

miRISC:

microRNA-containing RISC

miRNA:

microRNA

PAZ:

PIWI-Argonaute-Zwille domain

piRNA:

PIWI interacting RNA

PIWI:

P-element induced wimpy testis

pri-miPHK:

primary miRNA

RISC:

RNA-induced silencing complex

siRNA:

small interfering RNA

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 123182, Moscow, Russia

    A. V. Olina, A. V. Kulbachinskiy & D. M. Esyunina

  2. California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA

    A. A. Aravin

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  1. A. V. Olina
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  2. A. V. Kulbachinskiy
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  3. A. A. Aravin
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  4. D. M. Esyunina
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Correspondence to A. V. Olina or D. M. Esyunina.

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Published in Russian in Biokhimiya, 2018, Vol. 83, No. 5, pp. 645–661.

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Olina, A.V., Kulbachinskiy, A.V., Aravin, A.A. et al. Argonaute Proteins and Mechanisms of RNA Interference in Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes. Biochemistry Moscow 83, 483–497 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0006297918050024

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