InterPro domain: IPR038248

This domain is found in members of the Dicer protein family which function in RNA interference, an evolutionarily conserved mechanism for gene silencing using double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules. It is essential for the activity of Dicer [ 1 , 2 ]. It is a divergent double stranded RNA-binding domain [ 3 ]. The N-terminal alpha helix of this domain is in a different orientation to that found in canonical dsRNA-binding domains. This results in a change of charge distribution at the potential dsRNA-binding surface and in the N- and C-termini of the domain being in close proximity [ 4 ]. This domain has weak dsRNA-binding activity. It mediates heterodimerisation of Dicer proteins with their respective protein partners [ 5 ].

1. The role of PACT in the RNA silencing pathway. EMBO J. 25, 522-32
2. Functional anatomy of the Drosophila microRNA-generating enzyme. J. Biol. Chem. 282, 28373-8
3. DUF283 domain of Dicer proteins has a double-stranded RNA-binding fold. Bioinformatics 22, 2711-4
4. Structure of the Arabidopsis thaliana DCL4 DUF283 domain reveals a noncanonical double-stranded RNA-binding fold for protein-protein interaction. RNA 16, 474-81