How RNA-Binding Proteins Interact with RNA: Molecules and Mechanisms

Mol Cell. 2020 Apr 2;78(1):9-29. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.03.011.

Abstract

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) comprise a large class of over 2,000 proteins that interact with transcripts in all manner of RNA-driven processes. The structures and mechanisms that RBPs use to bind and regulate RNA are incredibly diverse. In this review, we take a look at the components of protein-RNA interaction, from the molecular level to multi-component interaction. We first summarize what is known about protein-RNA molecular interactions based on analyses of solved structures. We additionally describe software currently available for predicting protein-RNA interaction and other resources useful for the study of RBPs. We then review the structure and function of seventeen known RNA-binding domains and analyze the hydrogen bonds adopted by protein-RNA structures on a domain-by-domain basis. We conclude with a summary of the higher-level mechanisms that regulate protein-RNA interactions.

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Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA / chemistry*
  • RNA / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Motifs
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Software

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • RNA
  • DNA