title: RNA-binding domain of the A protein component of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein analyzed by NMR spectroscopy is structurally similar to ribosomal proteins.
abstract: An RNA recognition motif (RRM) of approximately 80 amino acids constitutes the core of RNA-binding domains found in a large family of proteins involved in RNA processing. The U1 RNA-binding domain of the A protein component of the human U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (RNP), which encompasses the RRM sequence, was analyzed by using NMR spectroscopy. The domain of the A protein is a highly stable monomer in solution consisting of four antiparallel beta-strands and two alpha-helices. The highly conserved RNP1 and RNP2 consensus sequences, containing residues previously suggested to be involved in nucleic acid binding, are juxtaposed in adjacent beta-strands. Conserved aromatic side chains that are critical for RNA binding are clustered on the surface of the molecule adjacent to a variable loop that influences recognition of specific RNA sequences. The secondary structure and topology of the RRM are similar to those of ribosomal proteins L12 and L30, suggesting a distant evolutionary relationship between these two types of RNA-associated proteins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Query
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Golden
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Keene
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D017411:Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
chemical_list: D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D017411:Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins