DGCR8 Antibody – Rabbit Polyclonal

This gene encodes a subunit of the microprocessor complex which mediates the biogenesis of microRNAs from the primary microRNA transcript. The encoded protein is a double-stranded RNA binding protein that functions as the non-catalytic subunit of the microprocessor complex. This protein is required for binding the double-stranded RNA substrate and facilitates cleavage of the RNA by the ribonuclease III protein, Drosha. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Jun 2010]

DGCR8: a double strand RNA binding protein (dsRBP) which is essential for the first processing step of primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs). Apparently binds and is activated by heme. A nuclear complex of Drosha with DGCR8 cleaves pri-miRNA substrates into 60-70 nucleotide intermediates (pre-miRNA), thus initiating the microRNA maturation process. Drosha provides the catalytic site for this cleavage, whereas DGCR8 (Pasha) anchors substrate pri-miRNAs. Pre-miRNAs are then processed by the cytoplasmic Dicer-TRBP complex to approximately 20-22 nt mature miRNAs.

Protein type: Nucleolus; RNA-binding; RNA processing

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 22q11.2

Cellular Component: cytoplasm; microtubule cytoskeleton; nucleolus; nucleoplasm; nucleus

Molecular Function: double-stranded RNA binding; heme binding; metal ion binding; protein binding; protein homodimerization activity; ribonuclease III activity

Biological Process: primary microRNA processing; RNA-mediated gene silencing

Disease: Velocardiofacial Syndrome