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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Exploring Sequence Space to Identify Binding Sites for Regulatory RNA-Binding Proteins
Published on: August 9, 2019
Regulation of ribonucleotide reductase by Spd1 involves multiple mechanisms
Konstantinos Nestoras1, Asma Hadi Mohammed, Ann-Sofie Schreurs
1Genome Damage and Stability Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN19RQ, United Kingdom.
Fission yeast RNR inhibitor Spd1 regulates R2 nuclear import but primarily restrains RNR activity through a novel mechanism independent of localization, modulating complex architecture for dNTP synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) levels are crucial for maintaining genomic integrity.
- Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) controls dNTP synthesis and is tightly regulated.
- RNR regulation involves allosteric control, transcriptional regulation, inhibitory proteins, and subunit localization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the fission yeast RNR inhibitor Spd1.
- To determine how Spd1 interacts with RNR subunits and affects its regulation.
- To elucidate novel mechanisms of RNR regulation.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of Spd1's intrinsic disorder and interaction with RNR subunits (R1 and R2).
- Analysis of Spd1's effect on R2 nuclear import.
- In vivo studies to assess RNR inhibition by Spd1.
Main Results:
- Spd1 is intrinsically disordered and regulates R2 nuclear import.
- Spd1 interacts with both R1 and R2 subunits.
- Spd1's primary inhibition of RNR in vivo is independent of R2 subcellular localization.
- A novel mechanism involving RNR complex architecture modulation for dNTP synthesis regulation was identified.
Conclusions:
- Spd1 plays a complex role in RNR regulation beyond controlling R2 localization.
- RNR complex architecture modulation represents a new regulatory pathway for dNTP synthesis.
- Understanding these regulatory mechanisms is key to maintaining genomic stability.
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