Defining the contribution of microRNA-specific Argonautes with slicer capability in animals.
Nucleic Acids Res
; 52(9): 5002-5015, 2024 May 22.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38477356
ABSTRACT
microRNAs regulate gene expression through interaction with an Argonaute protein. While some members of this protein family retain an enzymatic activity capable of cleaving RNA molecules complementary to Argonaute-bound small RNAs, the role of the slicer residues in the canonical microRNA pathway is still unclear in animals. To address this, we created Caenorhabditis elegans strains with mutated slicer residues in the endogenous ALG-1 and ALG-2, the only two slicing Argonautes essential for the miRNA pathway in this animal model. We observe that the mutation in ALG-1 and ALG-2 catalytic residues affects overall animal fitness and causes phenotypes reminiscent of miRNA defects only when grown and maintained at restrictive temperature. Furthermore, the analysis of global miRNA expression shows that the slicer residues of ALG-1 and ALG-2 contribute differentially to regulate the level of specific subsets of miRNAs in young adults. We also demonstrate that altering the catalytic tetrad of those miRNA-specific Argonautes does not result in any defect in the production of canonical miRNAs. Together, these data support that the slicer residues of miRNA-specific Argonautes contribute to maintaining levels of a set of miRNAs for optimal viability and fitness in animals particularly exposed to specific growing conditions.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Caenorhabditis elegans
/
Proteínas de Caenorhabditis elegans
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MicroRNAs
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Proteínas Argonautas
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article