title: Universal RNA-degrading enzymes in Archaea: Prevalence, activities and functions of β-CASP ribonucleases.
abstract: β-CASP ribonucleases are widespread in all three domains of life. They catalyse both 5'-3' exoribonucleolytic RNA trimming and/or endoribonucleolytic RNA cleavage using a unique active site coordinated by two zinc ions. These fascinating enzymes have a key role in 3' end processing in Eukarya and in RNA decay and ribosomal RNA maturation in Bacteria. The recent recognition of β-CASP ribonucleases as major players in Archaea is an important contribution towards identifying RNA-degrading enzymes in the third domain of life. Three β-CASP orthologous groups, aCPSF1, aCPSF2, aCPSF1b, are closely related to the eukaryal CPSF73 termination factor and one, aRNase J, is ortholog of the bacterial RNase J. The endo- and 5'-3' exoribonucleolytic activities carried by archaeal β-CASP enzymes are strictly conserved throughout archaeal phylogeny suggesting essential roles in maturation and/or degradation of RNA. The recent progress in understanding the prevalence, activities and functions of archaeal β-CASP ribonucleases is the focus of this review. The current status of our understanding of RNA processing pathways in Archaea is covered in light of this new knowledge on β-CASP ribonucleases.
authors.affiliation: Université de Toulouse; UPS, 118 Route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse, France; CNRS; LMGM; F-31062 Toulouse, France. Electronic address: Beatrice.Clouet-dOrval@ibcg.biotoul.fr.
authors.forename: Béatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Clouet-d'Orval
authors.affiliation: Université de Toulouse; UPS, 118 Route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse, France; CNRS; LMGM; F-31062 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Duy Khanh
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Phung
authors.affiliation: Université de Toulouse; UPS, 118 Route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse, France; CNRS; LMGM; F-31062 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Petra S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Langendijk-Genevaux
authors.affiliation: Université de Toulouse; UPS, 118 Route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse, France; CNRS; LMGM; F-31062 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Quentin
mesh_terms: D001105:Archaea / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D019843:Archaeal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D020871:RNA Stability / Q000502:physiology*; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D019843:Archaeal Proteins; D012260:Ribonucleases
keywords: Archaea; RNA processing; aCPSF1; aCPSF2; aRNase J; β-CASP ribonucleases