Protein argonaute-3 (AGO3)

Required for RNA-mediated gene silencing (RNAi). Binds to short RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and represses the translation of mRNAs that are complementary to them.

Proposed to be involved in stabilization of small RNA derivates (riRNA) derived from refined RNA polymerase III-transcribed Alu repeats comprising a DR2 retinoic acid response element (RARE) in stem cells and at the subsequent riRNA-dependent degradation of a subset of RNA polymerase II-transcribed coding mRNAs by recruiting a mRNA decapping complex involving EDC4. Possesses RNA slicer action but only on select RNAs bearing 5'- and 3'-flanking sequences to the area of guide-target complementarity (PubMed:29040713).