Mss116p: a DEAD-box protein facilitates RNA folding.
RNA folding is an essential aspect underlying RNA-mediated cellular processes. Many RNAs, including large, multi-domain ribozymes, are capable of folding to the native, functional state without assistance of a protein cofactor in vitro. In the cell, trans-acting factors, such as proteins, are however known to modulate the structure and thus the fate of an RNA. DEAD-box proteins, including Mss116p, were recently found to assist folding of group I and group II introns in vitro and in vivo. The underlying mechanism(s) have been studied extensively to explore the contribution of ATP hydrolysis and duplex unwinding in helicase-stimulated intron splicing. Here we summarize the ongoing efforts to understand the novel role of DEAD-box proteins in RNA folding.
Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Nora
N
Sachsenmaier
Christina
C
Waldsich
D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005091:Exons; D007438:Introns; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D011485:Protein Binding; D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs / Q000502:physiology; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D059370:RNA Folding; D012326:RNA Splicing; D020871:RNA Stability; D015003:Yeasts
D012313:RNA; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases