title: Structure of the C-terminal domain of human La protein reveals a novel RNA recognition motif coupled to a helical nuclear retention element.
abstract: The La protein is an important component of ribonucleoprotein complexes that acts mainly as an RNA chaperone to facilitate correct processing and maturation of RNA polymerase III transcripts, but can also stimulate translation initiation. We report here the structure of the C-terminal domain of human La, which comprises an atypical RNA recognition motif (La225-334) and a long unstructured C-terminal tail. The central beta sheet of La225-334 reveals novel features: the putative RNA binding surface is formed by a five-stranded beta sheet and, strikingly, is largely obscured by a long C-terminal alpha helix that encompasses a recently identified nuclear retention element. Contrary to previous observations, we find that the La protein does not contain a dimerization domain.
authors.affiliation: Biophysics Laboratories, Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Portsmouth, St Michael's Building, PO1 2DT, Portsmouth, United.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jacks
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Babon
authors.forename: Geoff
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Manolaridis
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Cary
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Curry
authors.forename: Maria R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Conte
mesh_terms: D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001324:Autoantigens; D001665:Binding Sites; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D019906:Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D000097585:SS-B Antigen
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens; D012313:RNA; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D000097585:SS-B Antigen