Essential for RNA interference (RNAi); double-stranded RNA induces potent and specific gene silencing (PubMed:11498593, PubMed:12368261, PubMed:14508492, PubMed:32504809). RNAi is mediated by the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), a sequence-specific, multicomponent nuclease that destroys or silences messenger RNAs homologous to the silencing trigger (PubMed:11498593, PubMed:12368261, PubMed:14508492). Interacts with Fmr1, Dcr-1 and vig to form the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex involved in translation regulation, other components of the complex are RpL5, RpL11 and Rm62 (PubMed:11498593, PubMed:14508492, PubMed:12368261). As part of the RISC complex, interacts with Tudor-SN (PubMed:14508492). (Microbial infection) Interacts with cricket paralysis virus protein 1A; this interaction may block the RISC activity. PAZ domain provides a major contribution for nucleic acid recognition. PAZ binds oligonucleotides of different lengths and has a strong preference for single-stranded nucleic acids (ssRNA or SSDNA) or RNA duplexes with single-stranded 3' overhangs. Can bind the characteristic two-base 3' overhangs of siRNAs, indicating that it may contribute to the specific and productive incorporation of siRNAs and miRNAs into the RNAi pathway. Belongs to the argonaute family. Ago subfamily. Truncated N-terminus.