Recognition of polyadenosine RNA by zinc finger proteins

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Jul 24;104(30):12306-11. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0701244104. Epub 2007 Jul 13.

Abstract

Messenger RNA transcripts are coated from cap to tail with a dynamic combination of RNA binding proteins that process, package, and ultimately regulate the fate of mature transcripts. One class of RNA binding proteins essential for multiple aspects of mRNA metabolism consists of the poly(A) binding proteins. Previous studies have concentrated on the canonical RNA recognition motif-containing poly(A) binding proteins as the sole family of poly(A)-specific RNA binding proteins. In this study, we present evidence for a previously uncharacterized poly(A) recognition motif consisting of tandem CCCH zinc fingers. We have probed the nucleic acid binding properties of a yeast protein, Nab2, that contains this zinc finger motif. Results of this study reveal that the seven tandem CCCH zinc fingers of Nab2 specifically bind to polyadenosine RNA with high affinity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a human protein, ZC3H14, which contains CCCH zinc fingers homologous to those found in Nab2, also specifically binds polyadenosine RNA. Thus, we propose that these proteins are members of an evolutionarily conserved family of poly(A) RNA binding proteins that recognize poly(A) RNA through a fundamentally different mechanism than previously characterized RNA recognition motif-containing poly(A) binding proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / metabolism*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins / chemistry
  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Poly(A)-Binding Proteins
  • Polymers / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / chemistry
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / chemistry
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Zinc Fingers

Substances

  • NAB2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins
  • Poly(A)-Binding Proteins
  • Polymers
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • ZC3H14 protein, human
  • polyadenosine
  • RNA
  • Adenosine