Work

Isolation and characterization of an NTP-dependent 3'-exoribonuclease from mitochondria of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Year: 1993

Type: article

Abstract: RNA turnover in eukaryotes is thought to require 3'-exonuclease activity but so far no RNase with that specificity has been isolated from a eukaryote. We report here on the purification and characterization of a 3'-exoribonuclease isolated from the mitochondria of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In vitro the purified enzyme displayed an absolute requirement of NTPs for activity. Each of the eight standard ribo- and deoxyribonucleotides supported activity with Km values ranging from 20 to 90 microM. The enzyme also displayed RNA-stimulated NTPase activity. The NTP-dependent enzyme cofractionated with three polypeptides of molecular masses 75,000, 90,000, and 110,000 daltons, although the native enzyme appears to have a molecular mass of 160,000 daltons predicted from the Stokes radius. The possible functions of this enzyme in vivo in the regulated decay of mitochondrial RNAs are discussed.

Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry

DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9258(18)53182-3

Authors: J. Min, R.M. Heuertz, H.P. Zassenhaus

Institution: Saint Louis University

Language: English

Topic: RNA Research and Splicing

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,430

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences