Structural highlights
Function
QKI_HUMAN RNA-binding protein that plays a central role in myelinization. Binds to the 5'-NACUAAY-N(1,20)-UAAY-3' RNA core sequence. Acts by regulating pre-mRNA splicing, mRNA export, mRNA stability and protein translation. Required to protect and promote stability of mRNAs such as MBP and CDKN1B. Regulator of oligodendrocyte differentiation and maturation in the brain that may play a role in myelin and oligodendrocyte dysfunction in schizophrenia. Participates in mRNA transport by regulating the nuclear export of MBP mRNA. Also involved in regulation of mRNA splicing of MAG pre-mRNA. Acts as a translational repressor (By similarity).[1]
Publication Abstract from PubMed
Mammalian Quaking (QKI) and its Caenorhabditis elegans homolog, GLD-1 (defective in germ line development), are evolutionarily conserved RNA-binding proteins, which post-transcriptionally regulate target genes essential for developmental processes and myelination. We present X-ray structures of the STAR (signal transduction and activation of RNA) domain, composed of Qua1, K homology (KH), and Qua2 motifs of QKI and GLD-1 bound to high-affinity in vivo RNA targets containing YUAAY RNA recognition elements (RREs). The KH and Qua2 motifs of the STAR domain synergize to specifically interact with bases and sugar-phosphate backbones of the bound RRE. Qua1-mediated homodimerization generates a scaffold that enables concurrent recognition of two RREs, thereby plausibly targeting tandem RREs present in many QKI-targeted transcripts. Structure-guided mutations reduced QKI RNA-binding affinity in vitro and in vivo, and expression of QKI mutants in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) significantly decreased the abundance of QKI target mRNAs. Overall, our studies define principles underlying RNA target selection by STAR homodimers and provide insights into the post-transcriptional regulatory function of mammalian QKI proteins.
Structure-function studies of STAR family Quaking proteins bound to their in vivo RNA target sites.,Teplova M, Hafner M, Teplov D, Essig K, Tuschl T, Patel DJ Genes Dev. 2013 Apr 15;27(8):928-40. doi: 10.1101/gad.216531.113. PMID:23630077[2]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
- ↑ Aberg K, Saetre P, Jareborg N, Jazin E. Human QKI, a potential regulator of mRNA expression of human oligodendrocyte-related genes involved in schizophrenia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 May 9;103(19):7482-7. Epub 2006 Apr 25. PMID:16641098 doi:10.1073/pnas.0601213103
- ↑ Teplova M, Hafner M, Teplov D, Essig K, Tuschl T, Patel DJ. Structure-function studies of STAR family Quaking proteins bound to their in vivo RNA target sites. Genes Dev. 2013 Apr 15;27(8):928-40. doi: 10.1101/gad.216531.113. PMID:23630077 doi:10.1101/gad.216531.113
