AGO2 — Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary

AT1G31280, designated AGO2, encodes an Argonaute family protein containing Piwi, PAZ and RNaseH-like domains, and is annotated with siRNA, mRNA and protein binding activities. In Arabidopsis thaliana, AGO2 is associated with resistance to potato virus X, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and other viruses, as well as with salt tolerance, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation rate and stable transformation efficiency. The gene is linked to RNA-dependent gene silencing, post-transcriptional gene silencing, RNA-directed DNA methylation, viral gene expression, response to ionizing radiation, and processes including meiosis, mitosis, exocytosis and secretion. It localises to the cytosol, cytoplasm, nucleus and ribonucleoprotein complexes. Associations with leaf colour, bacterial blight resistance, yield and root morphology traits have also been recorded. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to antibacterial resistance.