Cartoon describing potential role of Argonaute allostery in promoting translational repression. a, Argonaute protein with various domains indicated. b, Initial interaction between Argonaute, miRNA and potentially GW182 (transparent) are shown. Next, miRNA-bound Argonaute either c, samples messages independent of cap binding or d, specifically scans capped messages, both pathways leading to e, a fully engaged Argonaute protein ready for translational repression. miRNA:target duplex, cap and GW182 are all likely bound in this final stage.