Dis3l2, Protein That Maintains Stem Cell Identity, Uses A Funnel-like Opening To 'Read' Messages Tar (IMAGE)

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Dis3l2, Protein That Maintains Stem Cell Identity, Uses A Funnel-like Opening To 'Read' Messages Tar

Caption

Dis3l2 is protein that preserves the character of stem cells by degrading specific messages. But how does the enzyme know which messages to destroy? CSHL researchers obtained a molecular photograph (imaged on the left) of the protein in complex with a 'poly-U' chain (in orange) that marks messages for degradation. The poly-U chain is inserted into a funnel-like structure deep within Dis3l2 (see cartoon on the right, poly-U chain again in orange). Inside the funnel, there are more than a dozen contacts that capture the poly-U mark so that the entire message can be destroyed.

Credit

Leemor Joshua-Tor, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

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