R2D2 leads the silencing trigger to mRNA's death star.

Pellino, Janice L; Sontheimer, Erik J · Cell · 2003

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

During RNA interference (RNAi), Dicer generates short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which then guide target mRNA cleavage by the RISC complex. Now, Liu et al. identify R2D2, a Dicer-associated protein that is important for siRNA incorporation into RISC, thus linking the initiation and execution phases of RNAi.

Medical subject headings