How are small RNAs made?

Key Players: Drosha and DGCR8 (Together cleave the “legs” from the pri-miRNA transcript). Dicer: cleaves pre-miRNA near the terminal loop, RNase III-type endonuclease, region between the PAZ and RNase III domains functions as a ‘molecular ruler’. Argonaut: Form the RNA-Induced Silencing Complex (RISC), Passenger strand is removed in pre-RISC, miRNA loading is energy-dependent and mediated by HSP70-HSP90, Argonaut is highly conserved.