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Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Comparative RNA Structure Analysis of Nascent and Mature Transcripts in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Published on: February 27, 2026
[<< Catch me if you can >>: how the structural and functional integrity of eukaryotic RNA molecules is monitored by surveillance mechanisms]
Nathalie Leporé1, Denis L J Lafontaine
1Fonds de la recherche scientifique (FRS-FNRS), Métabolisme de l'ARN, Institut de biologie et de médecine moléculaires (IBMM), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), avenue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet, 12, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgique.
Abstract:
Cellular RNAs are invariably organized in ribonucleoprotein particles, or RNPs, regardless of their size, structure or function. RNPs are monitored by active surveillance mechanisms for their structural and functional integrity at every single step of their "life". A limited number of key endoRNase and/or exoRNase activities are recruited to multiple metabolic pathways by specific adaptors. These trans-acting factors are often endowed with synthesis activities in the formation of mature RNA termini, as well as degradation and surveillance activities. Quality control mechanisms are robust because they are partially redundant. The actual mechanisms that discriminate aberrant RNAs from normal RNAs are still loosely defined. Surveillance is essential to cellular homeostasis and has been linked to several human diseases.
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