Structural highlights
Function
[DHX8_HUMAN] Facilitates nuclear export of spliced mRNA by releasing the RNA from the spliceosome.[1]
Publication Abstract from PubMed
DHX8 is a crucial DEAH-box RNA helicase involved in splicing and required for the release of mature mRNA from the spliceosome. Here we report the biochemical characterization of full-length human DHX8 and the catalytically active helicase core DHX8Delta547, alongside crystal structures of DHX8Delta547 bound to ADP and a structure of DHX8Delta547 bound to poly(A)6 single-strand RNA. Our results reveal that DHX8 has an in vitro binding preference for adenine-rich RNA and that RNA binding triggers release of ADP through significant conformational flexibility in the conserved DEAH-, P-loop and hook-turn motifs. We demonstrate the importance of R620 and both the hook-turn and hook-loop regions for DHX8 helicase activity, and propose that the hook-turn acts as a gatekeeper to regulate directional movement of the 3' end of RNA through the RNA binding channel. This study provides an in-depth understanding of the activity of DHX8 and contributes insights into the RNA unwinding mechanisms of the DEAH-box helicase family.
Structural and functional characterisation of human RNA helicase DHX8 provides insights into the mechanism of RNA-stimulated ADP release.,Felisberto-Rodrigues C, Thomas JC, McAndrew C, Le Bihan YV, Burke R, Workman P, van Montfort RLM Biochem J. 2019 Aug 13. pii: BCJ20190383. doi: 10.1042/BCJ20190383. PMID:31409651[2]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
- ↑ Ohno M, Shimura Y. A human RNA helicase-like protein, HRH1, facilitates nuclear export of spliced mRNA by releasing the RNA from the spliceosome. Genes Dev. 1996 Apr 15;10(8):997-1007. PMID:8608946
- ↑ Felisberto-Rodrigues C, Thomas JC, McAndrew C, Le Bihan YV, Burke R, Workman P, van Montfort RLM. Structural and functional characterisation of human RNA helicase DHX8 provides insights into the mechanism of RNA-stimulated ADP release. Biochem J. 2019 Aug 13. pii: BCJ20190383. doi: 10.1042/BCJ20190383. PMID:31409651 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/BCJ20190383