Barnase

Function

Barnase (BA, BActerial RiboNucleASE) is a bacterial ribonuclease synthesized and secreted by the bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The inhibitor barstar (BST) binds to it very tightly and prevents it from digestion of the cell’s RNA.

Relevance

BA structure was used extensively for studying protein folding.

Structural highlights

BA hydrolyzes RNA at GpN sites where the active site positively charged Lys and Arg coordinate the RNA phosphate group.