Abstract
Messenger RNA transcripts are coated from cap to tail with a dynamic combination of RNA binding proteins that process, package, and ultimately regulate the fate of mature transcripts. One class of RNA binding proteins essential for multiple aspects of mRNA metabolism consists of the poly(A) binding proteins. Previous studies have concentrated on the canonical RNA recognition motif-containing poly(A) binding proteins as the sole family of poly(A)-specific RNA binding proteins. In this study, we present evidence for a previously uncharacterized poly(A) recognition motif consisting of tandem CCCH zinc fingers. We have probed the nucleic acid binding properties of a yeast protein, Nab2, that contains this zinc finger motif. Results of this study reveal that the seven tandem CCCH zinc fingers of Nab2 specifically bind to polyadenosine RNA with high affinity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a human protein, ZC3H14, which contains CCCH zinc fingers homologous to those found in Nab2, also specifically binds polyadenosine RNA. Thus, we propose that these proteins are members of an evolutionarily conserved family of poly(A) RNA binding proteins that recognize poly(A) RNA through a fundamentally different mechanism than previously characterized RNA recognition motif-containing poly(A) binding proteins.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 12306-12311 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
Volume | 104 |
Issue number | 30 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 24 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- CCCH zinc finger
- Poly(A) binding protein
- RNA binding
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General