IPR003100
PAZ domain
InterPro entry
Short name | PAZ_dom |
Overlapping homologous superfamilies | |
domain relationships |
Description
This domain is named after the proteins Piwi Argonaut and Zwille. It is also found in the CAF protein from Arabidopsis thaliana. This domain has been found in the middle region of a number of members of the Argonaute protein family, which also contain the Piwi domain (
IPR003165) in their C-terminal region
[1]. Several members of this family have been implicated in the development and maintenance of stem cells through the RNA-mediated gene-quelling mechanisms associated with the protein DICER.
The PAZ (Piwi/Argonaute/Zwille) domain was identified from structure-function studies as a RNA-binding module, with subsequent structure-function studies on RNA-bound complexes defining the principles underlying recognition of a 2-nt overhang at the 3' end of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)
[3], as well as recognition of the 3' end of single-stranded RNA (ssRNA)
[2]. PAZ domain of mouse Piwi-like protein 1 (
Q9JMB7) was shown to recognise 2'-O-methylated RNA at its 3'-end
[4].
References
1.Identification of eight members of the Argonaute family in the human genome small star, filled. Sasaki T, Shiohama A, Minoshima S, Shimizu N. Genomics 82, 323-30, (2003). View articlePMID: 12906857
2.Nucleic acid 3'-end recognition by the Argonaute2 PAZ domain. Lingel A, Simon B, Izaurralde E, Sattler M. Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 11, 576-7, (2004). View articlePMID: 15156196
3.Structural basis for overhang-specific small interfering RNA recognition by the PAZ domain. Ma JB, Ye K, Patel DJ. Nature 429, 318-22, (2004). View articlePMID: 15152257
GO terms
biological process
- None
molecular function
cellular component
- None
Cross References
Representative structure
6ra4: Human ARGONAUTE-2 PAZ DOMAIN (214-347) IN COMPLEX WITH CGUGACUCU