关键词: Argonaute蛋白, Dicer, 装配, RNA诱导沉默复合体, R2D2

Abstract: Degradation of homologous RNA in RNA interference is carried out by functional RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). RISC contains Dicer, Argonaute proein, siRNA and other components. Researching structures and functions of these components is primary important for understanding assembly and functional mechanism of RISC, as well as the whole RNAi pathway. Recent research works showed that Dicer, containing RNaseIII domain, is responsible for production of siRNA at the beginning of RNAi, however, guarantees the stability of RISC intermediate in assembly process. As the core component of RISC，Argonaute protein functions as slicer to cleave target RNA and offers the binding site of siRNA in its assembly, which are depended on PIWI domain and PAZ domain separately; Although there is only one strand of siRNA that is the guider of RISC, the double stranded structural character of siRNA is determinant of RNAi. Except that, there are still other components with unknown functions in RISC. Anyway, the knowledge about RISC components and assembly now, is basis of a presumed RISC assembly model.