Protein Domain : Dicer dimerisation domain IPR005034

Type	Domain
Description	This domain is found in members of the Dicer protein family which function in RNA interference, an evolutionarily conserved mechanism for gene silencing using double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules. It is essential for the activity of Dicer [ , ]. It is a divergent double stranded RNA-binding domain []. The N-terminal alpha helix of this domain is in a different orientation to that found in canonical dsRNA-binding domains. This results in a change of charge distribution at the potential dsRNA-binding surface and in the N- and C-termini of the domain being in close proximity []. This domain has weak dsRNA-binding activity. It mediates heterodimerisation of Dicer proteins with their respective protein partners [].
Short Name	Dicer_dimerisation_dom