Functional canonical RNAi in mice expressing a truncated Dicer isoform and long dsRNA.

ABSTRACT: Canonical RNA interference (RNAi) is sequence-specific mRNA degradation guided by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) made by RNase III Dicer from long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). RNAi roles include gene regulation, antiviral immunity or defense against transposable elements. In mammals, RNAi is constrained by Dicer's adaptation to produce another small RNA class-microRNAs. However, a truncated Dicer isoform (ΔHEL1) supporting RNAi exists in mouse oocytes. A homozygous mutation to express only the truncated ΔHEL1 variant causes dysregulation of microRNAs and perinatal lethality in mice. Here, we report the phenotype and canonical RNAi activity in Dicer^ΔHEL1/wt mice, which are viable, show minimal miRNome changes, but their endogenous siRNA levels are an order of magnitude higher. W

SUBMITTER: Buccheri V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11239679 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature