+Search query
-Structure paper
| Title | The structural basis for RNA slicing by human Argonaute2. |
|---|---|
| Journal, issue, pages | Cell Rep, Vol. 44, Issue 1, Page 115166, Year 2025 |
| Publish date | Jan 28, 2025 |
Authors | Abdallah A Mohamed / Peter Y Wang / David P Bartel / Seychelle M Vos / ![]() |
| PubMed Abstract | Argonaute (AGO) proteins associate with guide RNAs to form complexes that slice transcripts that pair to the guide. This slicing drives post-transcriptional gene silencing through RNA interference ...Argonaute (AGO) proteins associate with guide RNAs to form complexes that slice transcripts that pair to the guide. This slicing drives post-transcriptional gene silencing through RNA interference (RNAi), which is essential for many eukaryotes and the basis for new clinical therapies. Despite this importance, structural information on eukaryotic AGOs in a fully paired, slicing-competent conformation-hypothesized to be intrinsically unstable-has been lacking. Here, we present the cryogenic electron microscopy structure of a human AGO-guide complex bound to a fully paired target, revealing structural rearrangements that enable this conformation. Critically, the N domain of AGO rotates to allow the RNA full access to the central channel and forms contacts that license rapid slicing. Moreover, a conserved loop in the PIWI domain secures the RNA near the active site to enhance slicing rate and specificity. These results explain how AGO accommodates targets possessing pairing specificity typically observed in biological and clinical slicing substrates. |
External links | Cell Rep / PubMed:39932188 / PubMed Central |
| Methods | EM (single particle) |
| Resolution | 3.3 Å |
| Structure data | EMDB-45752, PDB-9cmp: ![]() EMDB-45753: The structural basis for RNA slicing by human Argonatue2 (Map 1) |
| Chemicals | ![]() ChemComp-MG: |
| Source |
|
Keywords | HYDROLASE/RNA / RNAi / Argonaute / Slicing / HYDROLASE-RNA complex |
Movie
Controller
Structure viewers
About Yorodumi Papers



Authors
External links



homo sapiens (human)
Keywords