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Structural Characterization of the Catalytic Subunit of a Novel RNA Splicing Endonuclease

Journal Article · · J. Mol. Biol.
The RNA splicing endonuclease is responsible for recognition and excision of nuclear tRNA and all archaeal introns. Despite the conserved RNA cleavage chemistry and a similar enzyme assembly, currently known splicing endonuclease families have limited RNA specificity. Different from previously characterized splicing endonucleases in Archaea, the splicing endonuclease from archaeum Sulfolobus solfataricus was found to contain two different subunits and accept a broader range of substrates. Here, we report a crystal structure of the catalytic subunit of the S. solfataricus endonuclease at 3.1 {angstrom} resolution. The structure, together with analytical ultracentrifugation analysis, identifies the catalytic subunit as an inactive but stable homodimer, thus suggesting the possibility of two modes of functional assembly for the active enzyme.
Research Organization:
Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
1008677
Journal Information:
J. Mol. Biol., Journal Name: J. Mol. Biol. Journal Issue: (5) ; 09, 2005 Vol. 353; ISSN JMOBAK; ISSN 0022-2836
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH

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