Role of the Protein NHL-2 in C. elegans small RNAs pathways

This study investigated NHL-2's RNA-binding domain. The research confirmed that the RNA-binding domain of NHL-2 plays a crucial role in regulating heterochronic pathways through let-7 miRNAs in C. elegans. Specifically, it is involved in the translational repression of target mRNAs. The study also demonstrated that the RNA-binding domain of NHL-2 interacts with specific elements in the 3' UTR of lin-28 mRNAs, ensuring proper regulation. Additionally, P-bodies increase in size when the RNA-binding domain of NHL-2 is mutated, indicating mRNA target stabilization within them. A novel interaction between NHL-2 and IFET-1 in somatic tissues was observed, suggesting that NHL-2 links with target mRNPs and stabilizes the connection between CGH-1 and IFET-1 in miRISC with target mRNAs in the miRNA pathway.