dcr-1 encodes a bidentate ribonuclease that is homologous to E. coli RNAse III; DCR-1 is required both for RNA interference and for synthesis of small developmental RNAs; DCR-1 functions to process pre-miRNAs into their mature, 22-nt form; DCR-1 interacts in vivo with RDE-4, a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) binding protein required for RNAi that interacts with trigger dsRNAs and may function to deliver dsRNAs to DCR-1 for endonucleolytic processing; DCR-1 is also required for fragmention of chromosomal DNA during apoptosis, and undergoes a CED-3 protease-mediated conversion from a ribonuclease to a deoxyribonuclease.
Enables deoxyribonuclease I activity and ribonuclease III activity. Involved in several processes, including nucleic acid metabolic process; olfactory learning; and positive regulation of primary miRNA processing. Acts upstream of or within defense response to Gram-positive bacterium. Located in cytosol and nucleus. Expressed in germ line; intestine; neurons; and somatic cell. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in several diseases, including DICER1 syndrome; gastrointestinal system cancer (multiple); and multinodular goiter. Is an ortholog of human DICER1 (dicer 1, ribonuclease III).
The let-740 gene is the same gene as dcr-1 and they therefore have been merged following advice from the CGC. let-740 is now an other name for dcr-1 [krb 030508]