A particular set of small non-coding RNAs is bound to the distinctive Argonaute protein of Trypanosoma cruzi: Insights from RNA-interference deficient organisms

• Trypanosoma cruzi presents Argonaute protein but lacks canonical RNAi pathways.
• RNAs derived from rRNAs and tRNAs were co-immunoprecipitation with TcPIWI-tryp.
• TcPIWI-tryp- sncRNAs repertoire is different from that of higher eukaryotes.
• This study could lead to the consideration of novel pathways of sncRNAs.

The study of small RNAs and Argonaute proteins in eukaryotes that are deficient in functional RNA interference could provide insights into novel functions of small RNAs. In this study we describe small non-coding RNAs bound to a distinctive Argonaute protein of Trypanosoma cruzi, TcPIWI-tryp. Co-immunoprecipitation of TcPIWI-tryp followed by deep sequencing of isolated RNA identified abundant small RNAs derived from rRNAs and tRNAs. The small RNA repertoire differed from that of the canonical Argonaute in organisms with functional RNA interference, which could indicate novel biological functions for TcPIWI-tryp in T. cruzi and other members of the trypanosomatid clade.