FIGURE 2.
Overview of Argonaute proteins and germ granules in the C. elegans germline. (A) Domain architecture and functions of Argonaute proteins. Argonaute proteins contain four conserved domains: the N, PAZ, MID, and PIWI domains, along with an unstructured N-terminal extension. The MID and PAZ domains anchor the 5′ and 3′ ends of small RNAs, respectively. The structure of C. elegans HRDE-1 is shown (right), with domains assigned by alignment to human AGO2. (B) C. elegans germ granules are composed of multiple compartments that are spatially organized within the perinuclear structure, each supporting distinct aspects of RNA regulation.
