RNA recognition motifs involved in nuclear import of RNA-binding proteins.
In eukaryotic cells, a regulated import and export of factors is required to fulfill the requirements of precise gene expression. Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression has proven to provide ubiquitous control, as well as a quick response to environmental changes when required. RNA-binding proteins (RBP) are involved in the several steps at which mRNA biogenesis, stability, translation and decay is exerted. The most characterized RBPs contain single or multiple copies of an RNA Recognition Motif (RRM). Here, we concentrate on RRMs mediating protein nuclear import by virtue of its ability to interact with proteins, besides interacting with nucleic acids. The consensus on how RRM-protein interactions take place is non-existent, and so is the involvement of the RRM as a nuclear localization signal (NLS). Within the cases examined, the single RRM from a trypanosome RBP behaves as a structural NLS, alternating nuclear import and RNA-binding.
Cassola
Alejandro
A
Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús, UNSAM-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina. acassola@iib.unsam.edu.ar
Noé
Griselda
G
Frasch
Alberto C
AC
D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000502:physiology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs / Q000502:physiology*; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*
D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D012313:RNA