title: Activity and Function of Deadenylases.
abstract: Shortening of the poly(A) tail is the first and often rate-limiting step in mRNA degradation. Three poly(A)-specific 3' exonucleases have been described that can carry out this reaction: PAN, composed of two subunits; PARN, a homodimer; and the CCR4-NOT complex, a heterooligomer that contains two catalytic subunits and may have additional functions in the cell. Current evidence indicates that all three enzymes use a two-metal ion mechanism to release nucleoside monophosphates in a hydrolytic reaction. The CCR4-NOT is the main deadenylase in all organisms examined, and mutations affecting the complex can be lethal. The contribution of PAN, apparently an initial deadenylation preceding the activity of CCR4-NOT, is less important, whereas the activity of PARN seems to be restricted to specific substrates or circumstances, for example, stress conditions. Rapid deadenylation and decay of specific mRNAs can be caused by recruitment of both PAN and the CCR4-NOT complex. This function can be carried out by RNA-binding proteins, for example, members of the PUF family. Alternatively, miRNAs can recruit the deadenylase complexes with the help of their associated GW182 proteins.
authors.affiliation: Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kurt-Mothes-Strasse 3, Halle, Germany.
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harnisch
authors.affiliation: Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kurt-Mothes-Strasse 3, Halle, Germany.
authors.forename: Bodo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moritz
authors.affiliation: Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kurt-Mothes-Strasse 3, Halle, Germany.
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rammelt
authors.affiliation: Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kurt-Mothes-Strasse 3, Halle, Germany.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Temme
authors.affiliation: Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kurt-Mothes-Strasse 3, Halle, Germany. Electronic address: ewahle@biochemtech.uni-halle.de.
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wahle
keywords: 3′ Exonuclease; Deadenylation; Poly(A) tails; mRNA decay; mRNA degradation