Peptide-Based Inhibition of miRNA-Guided Gene Silencing.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a large class of small noncoding RNAs that regulate the expression of distinct target mRNAs. miRNAs are incorporated into Argonaute (AGO) proteins and guide them to their target mRNAs. Subsequently, AGO proteins recruit a member of the glycine-tryptophan-rich (GW) protein family by direct protein-protein interaction.

Structural and functional insights into the fly microRNA biogenesis factor Loquacious.

In the microRNA (miRNA) pathway, Dicer processes precursors to mature miRNAs. For efficient processing, double-stranded RNA-binding proteins support Dicer proteins. In flies, Loquacious (Loqs) interacts with Dicer1 (dmDcr1) to facilitate miRNA processing.