
Is circulating exosome carry Staphylococcal nuclease domain-containing protein 1, a component of RNA-induced silencing complex?
The RNA induced silencing complex (RISC) is a major eukaryotic cellular machinery which plays pivotal role in gene regulation. Argonaute-2 (Ago2) and Staphylococcal nuclease domain-containing protein 1 (SND1) are key functional components of this complex and have RNA binding ability and ribonuclease activity. Circulating Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) have high importance in cancer research and studies have shown that presence of Ago2 in EVs regulates gene expression in recipient cells. Secretion of miRNAs, mRNAs and Ago2 in extracellular vesicles or exosomes is a newly recognized mode of gene regulation and intercellular communication. However, there is no experimental evidence on possible presence of SND1 protein in EVs. This commentary discusses about the possible presence of SND1 in EVs along with Ago2 during circulation in blood.