Lingel, A., Simon, B., Izaurralde, E., Sattler, M. (2004). Nucleic acid 3'-end recognition by the Argonaute2 PAZ domain.  Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 11(6): 576--577.

FBrf0179314

Research paper

We describe the solution structures of the Argonaute2 PAZ domain bound to RNA and DNA oligonucleotides. The structures reveal a unique mode of single-stranded nucleic acid binding in which the two 3'-terminal nucleotides are buried in a hydrophobic cleft. We propose that the PAZ domain contributes to the specific recognition of siRNAs by providing a binding pocket for their characteristic two-nucleotide 3' overhangs.