The roles of plant dsRNA-binding proteins in RNAi-like pathways

FEBS Lett. 2008 Aug 6;582(18):2753-60. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2008.07.004. Epub 2008 Jul 14.

Abstract

Dicers are associated with double-stranded RNA-binding proteins (dsRBPs) in animals. In the plant, Arabidopsis, there are four dicer-like (DCL) proteins and five potential dsRBPs. These DCLs act redundantly and hierarchically. However, we show there is little or no redundancy or hierarchy amongst the DRBs in their DCL interactions. DCL1 operates exclusively with DRB1 to produce micro (mi)RNAs, DCL4 operates exclusively with DRB4 to produce trans-acting (ta) siRNAs and 21nt siRNAs from viral RNA. DCL2 and DCL3 produce viral siRNAs without requiring assistance from any dsRBP. DRB2, DRB3 and DRB5 appear unnecessary for mi-, tasi-, viral si-, or heterochromatinising siRNA production but act redundantly in a developmental pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / enzymology
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / classification
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis
  • MicroRNAs / chemistry
  • Mutation
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Phenotype
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / classification
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / genetics
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / metabolism*
  • RNA, Plant / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Small Interfering / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Small Interfering / chemistry
  • RNA, Viral / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Viral / chemistry
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / classification
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ribonuclease III / classification
  • Ribonuclease III / genetics
  • Ribonuclease III / metabolism*

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • RNA, Plant
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • RNA, Viral
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Ribonuclease III