PMID: 21399644 , Related PDB id: 2KXN

Authors:

Clery A, Jayne S, Benderska N, Dominguez C, Stamm S, Allain FH

Title:

Molecular basis of purine-rich RNA recognition by the human SR-like protein Tra2-beta1.

Journal:

Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2011 Apr;18(4):443-50. Epub 2011 Mar 13.

Abstract:

Tra2-beta1 is a unique splicing factor as its single RNA recognition motif (RRM) is located between two RS (arginine-serine) domains. To understand how this protein recognizes its RNA target, we solved the structure of Tra2-beta1 RRM in complex with RNA. The central 5'-AGAA-3' motif is specifically recognized by residues from the beta-sheet of the RRM and by residues from both extremities flanking the RRM. The structure suggests that RNA binding by Tra2-beta1 induces positioning of the two RS domains relative to one another. By testing the effect of Tra2-beta1 and RNA mutations on the splicing of SMN2 exon 7, we validated the importance of the RNA-protein contacts observed in the structure for the function of Tra2-beta1 and determined the functional sequence of Tra2-beta1 in SMN2 exon 7. Finally, we propose a model for the assembly of multiple RNA binding proteins on this exon.