Protein argonaute

UniProtKB accession:  H2J4R4

Grouped By:  Matching UniProtKB accession

UniProtKB description:  An RNA-guided ssDNA endonuclease that may play a role in defense against invading mobile genetic elements. Uses short 5'-OH-ssRNA sequences as guides (gRNA) to bind complementary target DNA (tDNA) or target RNA resulting in target cleavage. The cleavage site is 10 nucleotides (nt) downstream of the target residue base-paired with the 5'-end of the gRNA. Reaction rates are fastest on 5'-OH-gRNA:tDNA followed by 5'-OH-gRNA:target RNA. gRNA between 17-21 nt supports equivalent rates of cleavage, has no preferred 5'-nt. Has weak activity on tDNA with 5'-phospho-gRNA, yielding products 1-2 nt longer (PubMed:27035975). Unlike other characterized prokaryotic Ago proteins symmetric mismatches centered around the cleavage site reduce cleavage efficiency (PubMed:28520746).