The Vasa Homolog RDE-12 engages target mRNA and multiple argonaute proteins to promote RNAi in C. elegans.

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Abstract

Argonaute (AGO) proteins are key nuclease effectors of RNAi. Although purified AGOs can mediate a single round of target RNA cleavage in vitro, accessory factors are required for small interfering RNA (siRNA) loading and to achieve multiple-target turnover. To identify AGO cofactors, we immunoprecipitated the C. elegans AGO WAGO-1, which engages amplified small RNAs during RNAi. These studies identified a robust association between WAGO-1 and a conserved Vasa ATPase-related protein RDE-12. rde-12 mutants are deficient in RNAi, including viral suppression, and fail to produce amplified secondary siRNAs and certain endogenous siRNAs (endo-siRNAs). RDE-12 colocalizes with WAGO-1 in germline P granules and in cytoplasmic and perinuclear foci in somatic cells. These findings and our genetic studies suggest that RDE-12 is first recruited to target mRNA by upstream AGOs (RDE-1 and ERGO-1), where it promotes small RNA amplification and/or WAGO-1 loading. Downstream of these events, RDE-12 forms an RNase-resistant (target mRNA-independent) complex with WAGO-1 and may thus have additional functions in target mRNA surveillance and silencing.

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Journal

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Curr. Biol.

Title: Current biology : CB

ISSN (Electronic): 1879-0445

ISSN (Print): 0960-9822

Publication date (Electronic): Apr 14 2014

Volume: 24

Issue: 8

Affiliations

[1 ] Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.

[2 ] Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.

[3 ] Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA. Electronic address: craig.mello@umassmed.edu.

Article

Publisher Item ID: S0960-9822(14)00267-X Mid ID: NIHMS576304

DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.03.008

PubMed ID: 24684931

SO-VID: 86e66551-ddda-4a2f-bd55-da70f62e3256

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