Star-shaped small enzyme with “dual-functionality” helps in proper tRNA functioning (IMAGE)

Kyushu University

Star-shaped small enzyme with “dual-functionality” helps in proper tRNA functioning

Caption

HARPs are the smallest known RNase P enzymes that help with tRNA maturation in bacteria and archaea. How such a small enzyme accomplishes this crucial task has baffled researchers for some time. Now, researchers from Kyushu University, Japan, have revealed that HARPs form a 12-subunit star-shaped structure with binding sites to process both the ends (5’ and 3’) of pre-tRNAs. This novel observation, where small enzymes take up different forms to perform multiple functions, suggests molecular evolution of these crucial enzymes.

Credit

Takamasa Teramoto/Yoshimitsu Kakuta/Kyushu University

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