DICER1 - Dicer 1, Ribonuclease III

This gene encodes a protein possessing an RNA helicase motif containing a DEXH box in its amino terminus and an RNA motif in the carboxy terminus. The encoded protein functions as a ribonuclease and is required by the RNA interference and small temporal RNA (stRNA) pathways to produce the active small RNA component that represses gene expression. This protein also acts as a strong antiviral agent with activity against RNA viruses, including the Zika and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2021]