The Making of an siRNA

Mol Cell. 2004 Jul 23;15(2):163-4. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2004.07.002.

Abstract

An array of gene silencing pathways share a common early step: Dicer cleaves double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into approximately 20-25 nucleotide fragments that direct the silencing machinery to specific targets. A recent report in Cell reveals how Dicer's two RNase III domains collaborate during dsRNA processing and sets the stage for a deeper understanding of Dicer's roles in later phases of silencing complex assembly.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Silencing
  • Humans
  • Protein Biosynthesis / genetics
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / genetics
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering*
  • RNA-Induced Silencing Complex / genetics
  • RNA-Induced Silencing Complex / metabolism
  • Ribonuclease III / genetics
  • Ribonuclease III / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • RNA-Induced Silencing Complex
  • Ribonuclease III