What are Argonaute Proteins?

[C Archer]

What are Argonaute Proteins?

What do they do?

 

[A. Hammouda]

Argonaute proteins are a family of proteins found in many organisms that play a crucial role in the process of RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi is a way for cells to regulate gene expression by silencing genes.

What Argonaute proteins do:

1. Bind small non-coding RNAs: Argonaute proteins bind to different classes of small non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). These small RNAs act like guides, directing the Argonaute protein to a specific target mRNA molecule.
2. Form RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC): Once an Argonaute protein binds to a small RNA, it forms a complex called the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). RISC is the machinery that carries out RNAi.
3. Silence target mRNA: The RISC complex uses the small RNA guide to find a complementary target mRNA molecule. Once the target mRNA is found, the Argonaute protein can either cleave the mRNA molecule in half, or it can block the mRNA molecule from being translated into protein.

By silencing target mRNAs, Argonaute proteins help to regulate gene expression in a variety of cellular processes, including development, differentiation, and immunity. They are also being investigated as potential therapeutic targets for a variety of diseases.

[Roy Flint]

Argonaut, in Greek legend, is any of a band of 50 heroes who went with Jason in the ship Argo to fetch the Golden Fleece.

Argonaut can denote an adventurer engaged in a quest. An argonaut is someone who sets off on daring quest.  Argonaut is by some definition is a person who moved to California during the gold rush of 1849.

 

 

 

[Author]

Posts