Remodeling of ribonucleoprotein complexes with DExH/D RNA helicases.
The DExH/D protein family is the largest group of enzymes in eukaryotic RNA metabolism. DExH/D proteins are mainly known for their ability to unwind RNA duplexes in an ATP-dependent fashion. However, it has become clear in recent years that these DExH/D RNA helicases are also involved in the ATP-dependent remodeling of RNA-protein complexes. Here we review recent studies that highlight physiological roles of DExH/D proteins in the displacement of proteins from RNA. We further discuss work with simple RNA-protein complexes in vitro, which illuminates mechanisms by which DExH/D proteins remove proteins from RNA. Although we are only beginning to understand how DExH/D proteins remodel RNA-protein complexes, these studies have shown that an 'RNA helicase' does not per se require cofactors to displace proteins from RNA, that protein displacement does not necessarily involve RNA duplex unwinding, and that not all DExH/D proteins are able to disassemble the same range of ribonucleoproteins.
Jankowsky
Eckhard
E
Department of Biochemistry, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Wood W447, School of Medicine Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44122, USA. exj13@case.edu
Bowers
Heath
H
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D020365:RNA Helicases / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D012313:RNA; D020365:RNA Helicases