AGO3

This gene encodes a member of the Argonaute family of proteins which play a role in RNA interference. The encoded protein is highly basic, contains a PAZ domain and a PIWI domain, and may play a role in short-interfering-RNA-mediated gene silencing. This gene is located on chromosome 1 in a tandem cluster of closely related family members including argonaute 4 and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2C, 1. Two transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been identified for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Full Name

AGO3

Function

Required for RNA-mediated gene silencing (RNAi). Binds to short RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and represses the translation of mRNAs which are complementary to them. Proposed to be involved in stabilization of small RNA derivates (siRNA) derived from processed RNA polymerase III-transcribed Alu repeats containing a DR2 retinoic acid response element (RARE) in stem cells and in the subsequent siRNA-dependent degradation of a subset of RNA polymerase II-transcribed coding mRNAs by recruiting a mRNA decapping complex involving EDC4. Possesses RNA slicer activity but only on select RNAs bearing 5'- and 3'-flanking sequences to the region of guide-target complementarity.

Biological Process

Intracellular receptor signaling pathway
miRNA loading onto RISC involved in gene silencing by miRNA
miRNA mediated inhibition of translation
mRNA catabolic process
Negative regulation of gene expression
Positive regulation of gene expression
Positive regulation of NIK/NF-kappaB signaling
Post-transcriptional gene silencing by RNA
Pre-miRNA processing
Production of miRNAs involved in gene silencing by miRNA
Regulation of megakaryocyte differentiation
Regulation of stem cell proliferation
Regulation of transcription initiation from RNA polymerase II promoter
RNA secondary structure unwinding
Wnt signaling pathway, calcium modulating pathway

Cellular Location

P-body

PTM

Ubiquitinated on surface-exposed lysines by a SCF-like E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complex containing ZSWIM8 during target-directed microRNA degradation (TDMD), a process that mediates degradation of microRNAs (miRNAs). Ubiquitination by the SCF-like E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complex containing ZSWIM8 leads to its subsequent degradation, thereby exposing miRNAs for degradation. ZSWIM8 recognizes and binds AGO3 when it is engaged with a TDMD target.