Structural and biochemical basis for misfolded RNA recognition by the Ro autoantigen.
Fuchs, G., Stein, A.J., Fu, C., Reinisch, K.M., Wolin, S.L.(2006) Nat Struct Mol Biol 13: 1002-1009
- PubMed: 17041599 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nsmb1156
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
2I91 - PubMed Abstract: 
The Ro autoantigen is ring-shaped, binds misfolded noncoding RNAs and is proposed to function in quality control. Here we determine how Ro interacts with misfolded RNAs. Binding of Ro to misfolded precursor (pre)-5S ribosomal RNA requires a single-stranded 3' end and helical elements. As mutating most sequences of the helices and tail results in modest decreases in binding, Ro may be able to associate with a range of RNAs. Ro binds several other RNAs that contain single-stranded tails. A crystal structure of Ro bound to a misfolded pre-5S rRNA fragment reveals that the tail inserts into the cavity, while a helix binds on the surface. Most contacts of Ro with the helix are to the backbone. Mutagenesis reveals that Ro has an extensive RNA-binding surface. We propose that Ro uses this surface to scavenge RNAs that fail to bind their specific RNA-binding proteins.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA.