| Type: | Domain | Name: | Dicer dimerisation 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 |
