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 DicerΔHEL1/wt mice, which are viable, show minimal miRNome changes, but their endogenous siRNA levels are an order of magnitude higher. We show that siRNA production in vivo is limited by available dsRNA, but not by Protein kinase R, a dsRNA sensor of innate immunity. dsRNA expression from a transgene yields sufficient siRNA levels to induce efficient RNAi in heart and muscle. DicerΔHEL1/wt mice with enhanced canonical RNAi offer a platform for examining potential and limits of mammalian RNAi in vivo.

• Klíčová slova
• Dicer, Mirtron, PKR, dsRNA, siRNA,
• MeSH
• DEAD-box RNA-helikasy genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• dvouvláknová RNA * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• malá interferující RNA * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• mikro RNA genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• protein - isoformy genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• ribonukleasa III * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• RNA interference * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DEAD-box RNA-helikasy MeSH
• Dicer1 protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• dvouvláknová RNA * MeSH
• malá interferující RNA * MeSH
• mikro RNA MeSH
• protein - isoformy MeSH
• ribonukleasa III * MeSH

MicroRNA (miRNA) and RNA interference (RNAi) pathways rely on small RNAs produced by Dicer endonucleases. Mammalian Dicer primarily supports the essential gene-regulating miRNA pathway, but how it is specifically adapted to miRNA biogenesis is unknown. We show that the adaptation entails a unique structural role of Dicer's DExD/H helicase domain. Although mice tolerate loss of its putative ATPase function, the complete absence of the domain is lethal because it assures high-fidelity miRNA biogenesis. Structures of murine Dicer•-miRNA precursor complexes revealed that the DExD/H domain has a helicase-unrelated structural function. It locks Dicer in a closed state, which facilitates miRNA precursor selection. Transition to a cleavage-competent open state is stimulated by Dicer-binding protein TARBP2. Absence of the DExD/H domain or its mutations unlocks the closed state, reduces substrate selectivity, and activates RNAi. Thus, the DExD/H domain structurally contributes to mammalian miRNA biogenesis and underlies mechanistical partitioning of miRNA and RNAi pathways.

• Klíčová slova
• DExD, Dicer, PKR, RNAi, TARBP2, cryo-EM, dsRBD, dsRNA, helicase, miRNA, mirtron,
• MeSH
• mikro RNA * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• ribonukleasa III * metabolismus   MeSH
• RNA interference MeSH
• savci metabolismus   MeSH
• transportní proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• komentáře MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• mikro RNA * MeSH
• ribonukleasa III * MeSH
• transportní proteiny MeSH