Structural highlights
Function
RNC_AQUAE Digests double-stranded RNA. Involved in the processing of primary rRNA transcript to yield the immediate precursors to the large and small rRNAs (23S and 16S). Also processes some mRNAs, and tRNAs when they are encoded in the rRNA operon.[1] [2]
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
RNA interference is mediated by small interfering RNAs produced by members of the ribonuclease III (RNase III) family represented by bacterial RNase III and eukaryotic Rnt1p, Drosha and Dicer. For mechanistic studies, bacterial RNase III has been a valuable model system for the family. Previously, we have shown that RNase III uses two catalytic sites to create the 2-nucleotide (nt) 3' overhangs in its products. Here, we present three crystal structures of RNase III in complex with double-stranded RNA, demonstrating how Mg(2+) is essential for the formation of a catalytically competent protein-RNA complex, how the use of two Mg(2+) ions can drive the hydrolysis of each phosphodiester bond, and how conformational changes in both the substrate and the protein are critical elements for assembling the catalytic complex. Moreover, we have modelled a protein-substrate complex and a protein-reaction intermediate (transition state) complex on the basis of the crystal structures. Together, the crystal structures and the models suggest a stepwise mechanism for RNase III to execute the phosphoryl transfer reaction.
A stepwise model for double-stranded RNA processing by ribonuclease III.,Gan J, Shaw G, Tropea JE, Waugh DS, Court DL, Ji X Mol Microbiol. 2008 Jan;67(1):143-54. Epub 2007 Nov 27. PMID:18047582[3]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
See Also
References
- ↑ Shi Z, Nicholson RH, Jaggi R, Nicholson AW. Characterization of Aquifex aeolicus ribonuclease III and the reactivity epitopes of its pre-ribosomal RNA substrates. Nucleic Acids Res. 2011 Apr;39(7):2756-68. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkq1030. Epub 2010, Dec 7. PMID:21138964 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkq1030
- ↑ Gan J, Tropea JE, Austin BP, Court DL, Waugh DS, Ji X. Structural insight into the mechanism of double-stranded RNA processing by ribonuclease III. Cell. 2006 Jan 27;124(2):355-66. PMID:16439209 doi:10.1016/j.cell.2005.11.034
- ↑ Gan J, Shaw G, Tropea JE, Waugh DS, Court DL, Ji X. A stepwise model for double-stranded RNA processing by ribonuclease III. Mol Microbiol. 2008 Jan;67(1):143-54. Epub 2007 Nov 27. PMID:18047582 doi:10.1111/j.1365-2958.2007.06032.x
