Balancing miRNA silencing: Ubiquitin-mediated control of Dicer and Argonaute
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Updated: Nov 2, 2026

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation
Published on: May 1, 2021
Mason Waye1, Victoria Sutto1, Pavan Kumar Kakumani1
1Department of Human Biosciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 45 Arctic Avenue, St. John's, NL, A1C 5S7, Canada.
Abstract:
Dicer and Argonaute proteins are core effectors of the miRNA pathway and are essential for cellular homeostasis. This review synthesizes recent advances in the mechanisms that control their stability and function, with a focus on post-translational regulation. Dicer is targeted for degradation via proteasomal and lysosomal pathways, modulating miRNA biogenesis, and multiple E3 ligases regulate its stability across biological contexts. Argonaute proteins are similarly regulated to control miRNA function, with Argonaute 2 exhibiting context-dependent modulation under hypoxia and acute liver injury, including target-directed miRNA degradation. Together, these mechanisms define a ubiquitin-mediated regulatory layer shaping miRNA output in physiology and disease.
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