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The 5' ? 3' exoribonuclease XRN1/Pacman and its functions in cellular processes and development

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-15, 13:53 authored by Chris JonesChris Jones, Maria Vasilyevna Zabolotskaya, Sarah NewburySarah Newbury
XRN1 is a 5' ? 3' processive exoribonuclease that degrades mRNAs after they have been decapped. It is highly conserved in all eukaryotes, including homologs in Drosophila melanogaster (Pacman), Caenorhabditis elegans (XRN1), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Xrn1p). As well as being a key enzyme in RNA turnover, XRN1 is involved in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay and degradation of mRNAs after they have been targeted by small interfering RNAs or microRNAs. The crystal structure of XRN1 can explain its processivity and also the selectivity of the enzyme for 5' monophosphorylated RNA. In eukaryotic cells, XRN1 is often found in particles known as processing bodies (P bodies) together with other proteins involved in the 5' ? 3' degradation pathway, such as DCP2 and the helicase DHH1 (Me31B). Although XRN1 shows little specificity to particular 5' monophosphorylated RNAs in vitro, mutations in XRN1 in vivo have specific phenotypes suggesting that it specifically degrades a subset of RNAs. In Drosophila, mutations in the gene encoding the XRN1 homolog pacman result in defects in wound healing, epithelial closure and stem cell renewal in testes. We propose a model where specific mRNAs are targeted to XRN1 via specific binding of miRNAs and/or RNA-binding proteins to instability elements within the RNA. These guide the RNA to the 5' core degradation apparatus for controlled degradation.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: RNA

ISSN

1757-7004

Publisher

Wiley

Issue

4

Volume

3

Page range

455-468

Department affiliated with

  • Clinical and Experimental Medicine Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-11-02

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2014-04-28

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2014-04-28

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