Biogenesis and Function of Ago-Associated RNAs

Iben Daugaard; Thomas Birkballe Hansen

doi:10.1016/j.tig.2017.01.003

Biogenesis and Function of Ago-Associated RNAs

Trends Genet. 2017 Mar;33(3):208-219. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2017.01.003. Epub 2017 Feb 4.

Authors

Iben Daugaard¹, Thomas Birkballe Hansen²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG), and Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
² Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG), and Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. Electronic address: tbh@mbg.au.dk.

PMID: 28174021
DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2017.01.003

Abstract

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.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Argonaute Proteins / genetics*
DEAD-box RNA Helicases / genetics
Gene Expression Regulation
Genome, Human
Humans
MicroRNAs / genetics*
RNA, Small Untranslated / genetics*
RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
Ribonuclease III / genetics

Substances

Argonaute Proteins
DGCR8 protein, human
MicroRNAs
RNA, Small Untranslated
RNA-Binding Proteins
DICER1 protein, human
Ribonuclease III
DEAD-box RNA Helicases