| Structural highlights
Function
[DGCR8_HUMAN] Component of the microprocessor complex that acts as a RNA- and heme-binding protein that is involved in the initial step of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis. Component of the microprocessor complex that is required to process primary miRNA transcripts (pri-miRNAs) to release precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA) in the nucleus. Within the microprocessor complex, DGCR8 function as a molecular anchor necessary for the recognition of pri-miRNA at dsRNA-ssRNA junction and directs DROSHA to cleave 11 bp away form the junction to release hairpin-shaped pre-miRNAs that are subsequently cut by the cytoplasmic DICER to generate mature miRNAs. The heme-bound DGCR8 dimer binds pri-miRNAs as a cooperative trimer (of dimers) and is active in triggering pri-miRNA cleavage, whereas the heme-free DGCR8 monomer binds pri-miRNAs as a dimer and is much less active. Both double-stranded and single-stranded regions of a pri-miRNA are required for its binding. Involved in the silencing of embryonic stem cells self-renewal.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
Evolutionary Conservation
Check, as determined by ConSurfDB. You may read the explanation of the method and the full data available from ConSurf.
Publication Abstract from PubMed
Maturation of microRNAs (miRNAs, approximately 22nt) from long primary transcripts [primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs)] is regulated during development and is altered in diseases such as cancer. The first processing step is a cleavage mediated by the Microprocessor complex containing the Drosha nuclease and the RNA-binding protein DiGeorge critical region 8 (DGCR8). We previously reported that dimeric DGCR8 binds heme and that the heme-bound DGCR8 is more active than the heme-free form. Here, we identified a conserved dimerization domain in DGCR8. Our crystal structure of this domain (residues 298-352) at 1.7 A resolution demonstrates a previously unknown use of a WW motif as a platform for extensive dimerization interactions. The dimerization domain of DGCR8 is embedded in an independently folded heme-binding domain and directly contributes to association with heme. Heme-binding-deficient DGCR8 mutants have reduced pri-miRNA processing activity in vitro. Our study provides structural and biochemical bases for understanding how dimerization and heme binding of DGCR8 may contribute to regulation of miRNA biogenesis.
Structure of the dimerization domain of DiGeorge critical region 8.,Senturia R, Faller M, Yin S, Loo JA, Cascio D, Sawaya MR, Hwang D, Clubb RT, Guo F Protein Sci. 2010 Jul;19(7):1354-65. PMID:20506313[8]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
- ↑ Landthaler M, Yalcin A, Tuschl T. The human DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 8 and Its D. melanogaster homolog are required for miRNA biogenesis. Curr Biol. 2004 Dec 14;14(23):2162-7. PMID:15589161 doi:10.1016/j.cub.2004.11.001
- ↑ Han J, Lee Y, Yeom KH, Kim YK, Jin H, Kim VN. The Drosha-DGCR8 complex in primary microRNA processing. Genes Dev. 2004 Dec 15;18(24):3016-27. Epub 2004 Dec 1. PMID:15574589 doi:10.1101/gad.1262504
- ↑ Gregory RI, Yan KP, Amuthan G, Chendrimada T, Doratotaj B, Cooch N, Shiekhattar R. The Microprocessor complex mediates the genesis of microRNAs. Nature. 2004 Nov 11;432(7014):235-40. Epub 2004 Nov 7. PMID:15531877 doi:10.1038/nature03120
- ↑ Han J, Lee Y, Yeom KH, Nam JW, Heo I, Rhee JK, Sohn SY, Cho Y, Zhang BT, Kim VN. Molecular basis for the recognition of primary microRNAs by the Drosha-DGCR8 complex. Cell. 2006 Jun 2;125(5):887-901. PMID:16751099 doi:10.1016/j.cell.2006.03.043
- ↑ Pauley KM, Eystathioy T, Jakymiw A, Hamel JC, Fritzler MJ, Chan EK. Formation of GW bodies is a consequence of microRNA genesis. EMBO Rep. 2006 Sep;7(9):904-10. Epub 2006 Aug 11. PMID:16906129 doi:7400783
- ↑ Yeom KH, Lee Y, Han J, Suh MR, Kim VN. Characterization of DGCR8/Pasha, the essential cofactor for Drosha in primary miRNA processing. Nucleic Acids Res. 2006;34(16):4622-9. Epub 2006 Sep 8. PMID:16963499 doi:10.1093/nar/gkl458
- ↑ Faller M, Matsunaga M, Yin S, Loo JA, Guo F. Heme is involved in microRNA processing. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2007 Jan;14(1):23-9. Epub 2006 Dec 10. PMID:17159994 doi:10.1038/nsmb1182
- ↑ Senturia R, Faller M, Yin S, Loo JA, Cascio D, Sawaya MR, Hwang D, Clubb RT, Guo F. Structure of the dimerization domain of DiGeorge critical region 8. Protein Sci. 2010 Jul;19(7):1354-65. PMID:20506313 doi:10.1002/pro.414
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