AGO1 — Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15

Summary

MoAGO1 (MGG_01294) on chromosome 2 of Magnaporthe oryzae 70-15 encodes a Piwi domain-containing protein with endoribonuclease activity that cleaves siRNA-paired mRNA, producing 5′-phosphomonoesters, and binds siRNA and ssRNA. It is associated with RNA interference-mediated gene silencing, including chromatin silencing at centromeres, telomeres, and mating-type regions, as well as siRNA and priRNA 3′-end processing, maintenance of G0 phase, and chromosome division. The protein localises to the RITS and ARC complexes, heterochromatin islands, subtelomeric and centric heterochromatin, the cytoplasm, cytosol, and nucleus. MoAGO1 has been linked to panicle number.