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Updated: Apr 19, 2026
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RNA Pull-down Procedure to Identify RNA Targets of a Long Non-coding RNA
Published on: April 10, 2018
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LENG8: The nuclear sentry guarding against aberrant RNA leakage.
Cornelia Kilchert1, Katja Sträßer1
1Institute of Biochemistry, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
Molecular Cell
|April 17, 2026
Summary
Researchers discovered LENG8, a protein that acts as a crucial checkpoint for nuclear RNA quality control. It ensures proper RNA processing by linking splice site recognition to degradation pathways.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- RNA Biology
- Gene Expression
Background:
- Nuclear RNA quality control is essential for cellular function.
- Defective RNA processing can lead to disease.
- Mechanisms coupling RNA processing to degradation are actively investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel factors involved in nuclear RNA quality control.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which RNA quality is maintained in the nucleus.
- To understand the role of LENG8 in RNA processing and degradation.
Main Methods:
- Yeast-three-hybrid screening
- RNA immunoprecipitation assays
- Northern blotting
- Quantitative reverse transcription PCR
Main Results:
- LENG8 was identified as a conserved protein interacting with spliceosomal components.
- LENG8 couples 5' splice site recognition to transcript retention.
- LENG8 recruits the exosome complex for degradation of aberrant transcripts.
Conclusions:
- LENG8 is a key regulator of nuclear RNA quality control.
- LENG8 acts as a modular factor linking splicing fidelity to degradation.
- Targeting LENG8 may offer therapeutic strategies for diseases associated with RNA processing defects.
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