1x47

Structural highlights

Function

[DGCR8_HUMAN] Component of the microprocessor complex that acts as a RNA- and heme-binding protein that is involved in the initial step of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis. Component of the microprocessor complex that is required to process primary miRNA transcripts (pri-miRNAs) to release precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA) in the nucleus. Within the microprocessor complex, DGCR8 function as a molecular anchor necessary for the recognition of pri-miRNA at dsRNA-ssRNA junction and directs DROSHA to cleave 11 bp away form the junction to release hairpin-shaped pre-miRNAs that are subsequently cut by the cytoplasmic DICER to generate mature miRNAs. The heme-bound DGCR8 dimer binds pri-miRNAs as a cooperative trimer (of dimers) and is active in triggering pri-miRNA cleavage, whereas the heme-free DGCR8 monomer binds pri-miRNAs as a dimer and is much less active. Both double-stranded and single-stranded regions of a pri-miRNA are required for its binding. Involved in the silencing of embryonic stem cells self-renewal.^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]}

Evolutionary Conservation

Check, as determined by ConSurfDB. You may read the explanation of the method and the full data available from ConSurf.

References

1. ↑ Landthaler M, Yalcin A, Tuschl T. The human DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 8 and Its D. melanogaster homolog are required for miRNA biogenesis. Curr Biol. 2004 Dec 14;14(23):2162-7. PMID:15589161 doi:10.1016/j.cub.2004.11.001
2. ↑ Han J, Lee Y, Yeom KH, Kim YK, Jin H, Kim VN. The Drosha-DGCR8 complex in primary microRNA processing. Genes Dev. 2004 Dec 15;18(24):3016-27. Epub 2004 Dec 1. PMID:15574589 doi:10.1101/gad.1262504
3. ↑ Gregory RI, Yan KP, Amuthan G, Chendrimada T, Doratotaj B, Cooch N, Shiekhattar R. The Microprocessor complex mediates the genesis of microRNAs. Nature. 2004 Nov 11;432(7014):235-40. Epub 2004 Nov 7. PMID:15531877 doi:10.1038/nature03120
4. ↑ Han J, Lee Y, Yeom KH, Nam JW, Heo I, Rhee JK, Sohn SY, Cho Y, Zhang BT, Kim VN. Molecular basis for the recognition of primary microRNAs by the Drosha-DGCR8 complex. Cell. 2006 Jun 2;125(5):887-901. PMID:16751099 doi:10.1016/j.cell.2006.03.043
5. ↑ Pauley KM, Eystathioy T, Jakymiw A, Hamel JC, Fritzler MJ, Chan EK. Formation of GW bodies is a consequence of microRNA genesis. EMBO Rep. 2006 Sep;7(9):904-10. Epub 2006 Aug 11. PMID:16906129 doi:7400783
6. ↑ Yeom KH, Lee Y, Han J, Suh MR, Kim VN. Characterization of DGCR8/Pasha, the essential cofactor for Drosha in primary miRNA processing. Nucleic Acids Res. 2006;34(16):4622-9. Epub 2006 Sep 8. PMID:16963499 doi:10.1093/nar/gkl458
7. ↑ Faller M, Matsunaga M, Yin S, Loo JA, Guo F. Heme is involved in microRNA processing. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2007 Jan;14(1):23-9. Epub 2006 Dec 10. PMID:17159994 doi:10.1038/nsmb1182