Human Protein Argonaute 3 / EIF2C3 (AGO3) Protein

Background

AGO3 is a member of the Argonaute protein family, playing a role in RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC)-mediated gene regulation. Similar to other Argonaute proteins, AGO3 contains a PAZ domain, which binds the 3' end of small RNAs, and a PIWI domain, but it lacks significant catalytic slicer activity. AGO3 is primarily involved in microRNA (miRNA)-mediated translational repression, aiding in the recruitment of other silencing machinery to target mRNAs. Although less characterized than AGO1 and AGO2, AGO3 is expressed ubiquitously and contributes to post-transcriptional gene silencing in processes such as developmental regulation, stress responses, and immune function. Dysregulation of AGO3 is associated with diseases such as cancer, where altered miRNA activity impacts oncogenic or tumor suppressor pathways, though its precise roles remain under investigation.