tRNA-nucleotidyltransferases: highly unusual RNA polymerases with vital functions

FEBS Lett. 2010 Jan 21;584(2):297-302. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.10.078.

Abstract

tRNA-nucleotidyltransferases are fascinating and unusual RNA polymerases responsible for the synthesis of the nucleotide triplet CCA at the 3'-terminus of tRNAs. As this CCA end represents an essential functional element for aminoacylation and translation, these polymerases (CCA-adding enzymes) are of vital importance in all organisms. With a possible origin of ancient telomerase-like activity, the CCA-adding enzymes obviously emerged twice during evolution, leading to structurally different, but functionally identical enzymes. The evolution as well as the unique polymerization features of these interesting proteins will be discussed in this review.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / chemistry
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / classification
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / metabolism*
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Protein Conformation
  • RNA Nucleotidyltransferases / chemistry
  • RNA Nucleotidyltransferases / classification
  • RNA Nucleotidyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • RNA Nucleotidyltransferases
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases