2J7N

Structure of the RNAi polymerase from Neurospora crassa

Summary for 2J7N

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb2j7n/pdb
• Related: 2J7O
• Descriptor: RNA-DEPENDENT RNA POLYMERASE, MAGNESIUM ION, GLYCEROL, ... (4 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: rnai response, rna-directed rna polymerase, hydrolase
• Biological source: NEUROSPORA CRASSA
• Total number of polymer chains: 2
• Total formula weight: 233558.58

Authors

Salgado, P.S.,Koivunen, M.R.L.,Makeyev, E.V.,Bamford, D.H.,Stuart, D.I.,Grimes, J.M. (deposition date: 2006-10-13, release date: 2006-12-13, Last modification date: 2024-05-08)

Primary citation

Salgado, P.S.,Koivunen, M.R.L.,Makeyev, E.V.,Bamford, D.H.,Stuart, D.I.,Grimes, J.M.
The Structure of an Rnai Polymerase Links RNA Silencing and Transcription.
Plos Biol., 4:E434-, 2006

PubMed Abstract: RNA silencing refers to a group of RNA-induced gene-silencing mechanisms that developed early in the eukaryotic lineage, probably for defence against pathogens and regulation of gene expression. In plants, protozoa, fungi, and nematodes, but apparently not insects and vertebrates, it involves a cell-encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (cRdRP) that produces double-stranded RNA triggers from aberrant single-stranded RNA. We report the 2.3-A resolution crystal structure of QDE-1, a cRdRP from Neurospora crassa, and find that it forms a relatively compact dimeric molecule, each subunit of which comprises several domains with, at its core, a catalytic apparatus and protein fold strikingly similar to the catalytic core of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerases responsible for transcription. This evolutionary link between the two enzyme types suggests that aspects of RNA silencing in some organisms may recapitulate transcription/replication pathways functioning in the ancient RNA-based world.

PubMed: 17147473
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PBIO.0040434

Experimental method

X-RAY DIFFRACTION (2.3 Å)