New insights into RNA processing by the eukaryotic tRNA splicing endonuclease

J Biol Chem. 2023 Sep;299(9):105138. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105138. Epub 2023 Aug 5.

Abstract

Through its role in intron cleavage, tRNA splicing endonuclease (TSEN) plays a critical function in the maturation of intron-containing pre-tRNAs. The catalytic mechanism and core requirement for this process is conserved between archaea and eukaryotes, but for decades, it has been known that eukaryotic TSENs have evolved additional modes of RNA recognition, which have remained poorly understood. Recent research identified new roles for eukaryotic TSEN, including processing or degradation of additional RNA substrates, and determined the first structures of pre-tRNA-bound human TSEN complexes. These recent discoveries have changed our understanding of how the eukaryotic TSEN targets and recognizes substrates. Here, we review these recent discoveries, their implications, and the new questions raised by these findings.

Keywords: RNA; RNA degradation; RNA processing; TSEN; protein structure; tRNA splicing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Endoribonucleases* / chemistry
  • Endoribonucleases* / metabolism
  • Eukaryota* / enzymology
  • Humans
  • Introns / genetics
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • RNA Precursors* / chemistry
  • RNA Precursors* / metabolism
  • RNA Splicing*
  • RNA, Transfer* / chemistry
  • RNA, Transfer* / metabolism
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • RNA Precursors
  • RNA, Transfer
  • splicing endonuclease
  • Endoribonucleases