A single C. elegans PUF protein binds RNA in multiple modes.
PUF proteins specifically bind mRNAs to regulate their stability and translation. Here we focus on the RNA-binding specificity of a C. elegans PUF protein, PUF-11. Our findings reveal that PUF-11 binds RNA in multiple modes, in which the protein can accommodate variable spacings between two distinct recognition elements. We propose a structural model in which flexibility in the central region of the protein enables the protein to adopt at least two distinct structures, one of which results in base flipping.
Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
Yvonne Yiling
YY
Koh
Laura
L
Opperman
Craig
C
Stumpf
Arpita
A
Mandan
Sunduz
S
Keles
Marvin
M
Wickens
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000378:metabolism*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C542385:PUF-11 protein, C elegans; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D012313:RNA