Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2C (eIF2C) proteins (argonaute family) influence RNA interference (RNAi) as components of the RNA-inducible silencing complex (RISC) or microRNA (miRNA)-containing ribonucleoprotein particle (miRNP). Small RNAs, including small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and miRNAs, can silence target genes through mechanisms that utilize RISC or miRNP particles. eIF2C1 (argonaute 1, AGO1, eIF2C, GERP95, Q99) and Dicer1 play a coordinated role in siRNA-mediated gene silencing. eIF2C2 (Slicer, argonaute 2, AGO2, Q10) is a RISC component that can concentrate in cytoplasmic processing bodies (P-bodies) and catalyze mRNA cleavage. Mammalian P-bodies contain mRNAs and have an association with miRNA-induced translational silencing and siRNA-induced mRNA degradation. Additional eIF2C proteins include eIF2C3 (argonaute 3, AGO3), eIF2C4 (argonaute 4, AGO4) and meIF2c5 (mouse argonaute 5).
