title: Solution structure of the hRPABC14.4 subunit of human RNA polymerases.
abstract: The protein hRPABC14.4 is an essential subunit of human RNA polymerases I, II, and III and is required for the transcription of all human nuclear genes. The structure of hRPABC14.4 was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The protein fold comprises a highly conserved central domain forming two antiparallel alpha-helices flanked by the less conserved N- and C-terminal regions forming a five-stranded beta-sandwich. Amino acids from the two helices participate in the generation of a hydrophobic surface area which is conserved in all eukaryotic and archaeal homologous subunits, and likely constitutes a critical macromolecular interaction interface. The hRPABC14.4 structure accounts for mutagenesis results in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and provides a structural working model for elucidating the role of this subunit in the molecular architecture and function of the human nuclear RNA polymerases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.lastname: del Río-Portilla F
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gaskell
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ladias
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D019906:Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D021122:Protein Subunits; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D012996:Solutions; D055672:Static Electricity; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D021122:Protein Subunits; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D012996:Solutions; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases