The immunopurification (IP)
of Argonaute (Ago), a central component
of the RISC in the human and mouse, followed by microarray analyses (Ago IP / microarray method) makes it possible to isolate any Ago - associated miRNAs and mRNAs without relying on the mechanism
of regulation (i.e. mRNA decay or translational suppression), or sequence
conservation, enabling a comprehensive identification
of the miRNA - target
genes in an unbiased manner.