Fig. 7: Model of DPF-3’s regulation on the interplay between miRNA-specific Argonautes.
From: Dipeptidyl peptidase DPF-3 is a gatekeeper of microRNA Argonaute compensation in animals
In wild-type genetic background, DPF-3 favors interaction with ALG-1 and maintains a normal transcription/splicing rate of ALG-2 mRNA. This allows ALG-1 to assume the bulk of the miRNA gene regulatory function, achieving normal target translational inhibition and keeping the animals healthy. In alg-1(gk214) genetic background, ALG-2 pre-mRNA starts to accumulate but DPF-3 limits its processing, which impedes it to compensate for the absence of ALG-1, leading to target mRNAs misregulation and appearance of deleterious phenotypes. In dpf-3(xe68);alg-1(gk214) conditions, DPF-3’s negative regulation of ALG-2 mRNA processing is relieved and allows it to compensate for the lack of ALG-1 by increased protein abundance and increased active miRISC formation. ALG-2 can now maintain proper target translational inhibition and keep the animals healthy again.
