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.
