Microprocessor complex subunit DGCR8 (IPR040375)

Short name: DGCR8

Overlapping homologous superfamilies


Family relationships



Primary microRNA transcripts (pri-miRs) are cleaved by Microprocessor, a complex containing RNase III DROSHA and its cofactor DGCR8 [PMID: 26027739]. DGCR8 functions as a molecular anchor necessary for the recognition of pri-miRNA at dsRNA-ssRNA junction and directs DROSHA to cleave 11 bp away form the junction to release hairpin-shaped pre-miRNAs that are subsequently cut by the cytoplasmic DICER to generate mature miRNAs [PMID: 26027739, PMID: 26748718]. DGCR8 binds heme, and this binding activates DGCR8 to recognize pri-miRs by specifically binding the terminal loop near the 3' single-stranded segment [PMID: 29170488].

GO terms

Biological Process

GO:0031053 primary miRNA processing

Molecular Function

GO:0003723 RNA binding
GO:0020037 heme binding
GO:0042802 identical protein binding

Cellular Component

GO:0070877 microprocessor complex

Contributing signatures

Signatures from InterPro member databases are used to construct an entry.