Structural similarity in the absence of sequence homology of the messenger RNA export factors Mtr2 and p15

EMBO Rep. 2003 Jul;4(7):699-703. doi: 10.1038/sj.embor.embor883.

Abstract

The association between Mtr2 and Mex67 is essential for the nuclear export of bulk messenger RNA in yeast. In metazoans, the analogous function is carried out by the TAP-p15 heterodimer. Whereas Mex67 and TAP are highly conserved proteins, their binding partners, Mtr2 and p15, share no sequence similarity, but are nevertheless functionally homologous. Here, we report the 2.8-A resolution crystal structure of Mtr2 in complex with the NTF2-like domain of Mex67. Mtr2 is a novel member of the NTF2-like family and interacts with Mex67, forming a complex with a similar structural architecture to that of TAP-p15. Mtr2 fulfils an analogous function to that of human p15 in maintaining the structural integrity of the heterodimer. In addition, Mtr2 presents a long internal loop, which contains residues that affect the export of the large ribosomal subunit.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Dimerization
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins / chemistry
  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • RNA Transport*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / chemistry*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Homology

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • MEX67 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Mtr2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins
  • Nutf2 protein, mouse
  • Nxt1 protein, mouse
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins