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DNA-guided DNA interference by a prokaryotic Argonaute.
DNA-guided DNA interference by a prokaryotic Argonaute.
- Source :
-
Nature [Nature] 2014 Mar 13; Vol. 507 (7491), pp. 258-261. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 Feb 16. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- RNA interference is widely distributed in eukaryotes and has a variety of functions, including antiviral defence and gene regulation. All RNA interference pathways use small single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) molecules that guide proteins of the Argonaute (Ago) family to complementary ssRNA targets: RNA-guided RNA interference. The role of prokaryotic Ago variants has remained elusive, although bioinformatics analysis has suggested their involvement in host defence. Here we demonstrate that Ago of the bacterium Thermus thermophilus (TtAgo) acts as a barrier for the uptake and propagation of foreign DNA. In vivo, TtAgo is loaded with 5'-phosphorylated DNA guides, 13-25 nucleotides in length, that are mostly plasmid derived and have a strong bias for a 5'-end deoxycytidine. These small interfering DNAs guide TtAgo to cleave complementary DNA strands. Hence, despite structural homology to its eukaryotic counterparts, TtAgo functions in host defence by DNA-guided DNA interference.
- Subjects :
- Base Pairing genetics
Base Sequence
DNA genetics
Deoxycytidine genetics
Deoxycytidine metabolism
Phosphorylation
Plasmids genetics
Argonaute Proteins metabolism
DNA metabolism
DNA Cleavage
Gene Silencing
Prokaryotic Cells metabolism
Thermus thermophilus genetics
Thermus thermophilus metabolism
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1476-4687
- Volume :
- 507
- Issue :
- 7491
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Nature
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 24531762
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/nature12971