A Mesophilic Argonaute from <i>Cohnella algarum</i> Mediates Programmable DNA/RNA Cleavage with Distinctive Guide Specificity.

ABSTRACT: Argonaute (Ago) proteins are ubiquitous across all domains of life. Some prokaryotic Agos (pAgos) function as endonucleases that utilize short nucleic acid guides to recognize and cleave complementary targets. Yet, considerable diversity within pAgos leaves many of their biochemical and functional features insufficiently understood. This study characterizes CalAgo, an pAgo from the mesophilic bacterium Cohnella algarum, which demonstrates DNA-guided DNA endonuclease and RNA endonuclease activities at physiological temperatures. CalAgo's cleavage activity depends on Mn²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions and remains effective across a wide range of temperatures and pH levels. CalAgo utilizes only short guides ranging from 15 to 21 nucleotides (nt) in length, in contrast to other re

SUBMITTER: Peng Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12564509 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature