{
  "abstract": "Robust RNA interference in Caenorhabditis elegans requires Argonaute targeted RNAs to be cleaved by RDE 8 and poly(UG)ylated by MUT 2, generating templates for RNA dependent RNA polymerases that synthesize secondary small RNAs. RDE 8 and MUT 2 are physically coupled within the cleavage and poly(UG)ylation (CPUG) complex, together with the pseudonuclease NYN 1 and MUT 15, but how their activities are controlled and coordinated is unknown. Structural and biochemical analyses reveal that the RDE 8/NYN 1 nuclease module is autoinhibited, restricting cleavage outside CPUG. We identify MUT 15, the CPUG scaffold linking this nuclease module to MUT 2, as a pseudohelicase. MUT 15 remodels the nuclease module, licensing RDE 8 activity upon complex assembly. Reconstituted CPUG synthesizes long poly(UG) tails, with the substrate 3' end determining tailing efficiency and register. Within CPUG, RNA engagement by MUT 2 limits RDE 8 access, while poly(UG) tails themselves are not cleaved by RDE 8, preventing re cleavage. Together, CPUG couples assembly dependent RNA cleavage to downstream processing, imposing safety and directionality.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "University of Vienna"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 9,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "V. Busetto"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Brehm"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Sgromo"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Mager"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. Pshanichnaya"
    },
    {
      "name": "E. C. A. Becker"
    },
    {
      "name": "R. F. Ketting"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. L. Ameres"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "S. Falk"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1r4fv1agm7m3n.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.09.04.749402",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.04.749402v1.full",
  "id": "1r4fv1agm7m3n",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.04.749402v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "biochemistry"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1312|RNA Interference and Gene Delivery"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7208808878",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.04.749402v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-04",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1r4fv1agm7m3n.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:09Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.09.04.749402",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.04.749402v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "openalex:1312|RNA Interference and Gene Delivery",
      "subfield": "molecular-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "A pseudohelicase-centered complex couples assembly-dependent RNA cleavage to poly(UG)ylation",
  "title_text": "A pseudohelicase-centered complex couples assembly-dependent RNA cleavage to poly(UG)ylation",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:09Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1r4fv1agm7m3n",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}