Structure and Activities of the Eukaryotic RNA Exosome

The composition of the multisubunit eukaryotic RNA exosome was described more than a decade ago, and structural studies conducted since that time have contributed to our mechanistic understanding of factors that are required for 3'-to-5' RNA processing and decay. This chapter describes the organization of the eukaryotic RNA exosome with a focus on presenting results related to the noncatalytic nine-subunit exosome core as well as the hydrolytic exo- and endoribonuclease Rrp44 (Dis3) and the exoribonuclease Rrp6. This is achieved in large part by describing crystal structures of Rrp44, Rrp6, and the nine-subunit exosome core with an emphasis on how these molecules interact to endow the RNA exosome with its catalytic activities.