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CCR4 and CAF1 deadenylases have an intrinsic activity to remove the post-poly(A) sequence

Sho Niinuma1, Takashi Fukaya1, Yukihide Tomari1

  • 1Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, JapanDepartment of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.

RNA (New York, N.Y.)
|August 4, 2016
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) recruit the CCR4-NOT complex to shorten poly(A) tails. This study reveals that CCR4 and CAF1 can also remove 3' non-A sequences when an upstream poly(A) tail is present.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • RNA Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression.
  • The CCR4-NOT complex, containing deadenylases CCR4 and CAF1, shortens poly(A) tails.
  • CCR4 and CAF1 show a preference for poly(A) RNA but can process non-A residues in vitro.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism by which CCR4 and CAF1 remove non-A sequences from RNA.
  • To determine the role of upstream poly(A) sequences in this process.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro assays using Drosophila miRNAs and the CCR4-NOT complex.
  • Analysis of RNA substrate requirements for non-A residue removal.

Main Results:

  • Drosophila miRNAs facilitate the exonucleolytic removal of 3'-terminal non-A residues.
  • This activity requires an upstream poly(A) sequence.
  • The reaction is catalyzed by CCR4 and CAF1 and depends on the relative lengths of poly(A) and non-A sequences.

Conclusions:

  • The CCR4-NOT complex possesses an intrinsic activity to remove 3'-terminal non-A modifications.
  • This activity is regulated by the presence and length of an upstream poly(A) tail.
Keywords:
CCR4–NOT complexdeadenylasedeadenylationmRNA decaymicroRNA

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