Although the abundant sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain was originally classified as a protein-protein interaction domain, it has recently been shown that certain SAM domains have the ability to bind RNA, defining a new type of post-transcriptional gene regulator. To further understand the function of SAM-RNA recognition, we determined the solution structures of the SAM domain of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Vts1p (Vts1p-SAM) and the Smaug response element (SRE) stem-loop RNA as a complex and in isolation. The structures show that Vts1p-SAM recognizes predominantly the shape of the SRE rather than its sequence, with the exception of a G located at the tip of the pentaloop. Using microarray gene profiling, we identified several genes in S. cerevisiae that seem to be regulated by Vts1p and contain one or more copies of the SRE.

• PMID: 16429156
• DOI full text
• PubMed

Reference Type

Journal Article | Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural | Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't | Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Authors

Oberstrass FC, Lee A, Stefl R, Janis M, Chanfreau G, Allain FH

Primary Lit For

Additional Lit For

Review For